Openly Gay DA For Manhattan?

Openly gay top Bloomberg adviser Jonathan Feinblatt is reportedly considering running for Manhattan District Attorney upon the coming retirement of Robert Morgenthau, who had had the job for 35 years.

Sources insist Jonathan Feinblatt, the Bloomberg administration's criminal justice coordinator, will enter the race for Manhattan district attorney. But strategists say he may be too late. The other three Democratic candidates are building seven-figure war chests and have lined up endorsements. Insiders acknowledge Mr. Feinblatt's advantages: the only Jewish name in the race, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's backing, and gay support (Mr. Feinblatt is openly gay). “He's convinced he can win,” one strategist reports. But the source says Mr. Feinblatt would siphon votes from male candidates Richard Aborn and Cyrus Vance Jr., benefiting Leslie Crocker Snyder. “He hasn't raised any money and has no institutional support,” another skeptic says.

Bloomberg has said he would back Feinblatt if he runs, otherwise he will endorse no candidate. In 2002, Bonnie Dumanis became the nation's first openly gay district attorney upon her election in San Diego County.