NEW YORK STATE — There is a growing perception that if President Donald Trump issues a pardon for anyone found guilty in the scandals currently being investigated in the Mueller probe, or if he manages to evade prosecution or impeachment, the New York State Attorney General (AG) would be in a position to go after Trump and his associates because Trump’s businesses are based in the state.

All four candidates running for the Democratic AG nomination have addressed that issue. Tish James, who is currently serving in her second term as a public advocate for New York City, has been endorsed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The day before Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was found guilty of eight counts related to tax fraud, James posted on her website, “ With the imminent decision in the case of Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort, today, Attorney General candidate Tish James called on Gov. Cuomo, Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Flanagan and Democratic Conference Leader Stewart-Cousins to immediately convene a special session to pass A/10422, S/08236, legislation that closes a loophole in New York State law that allows the president to pardon individuals for crimes committed in New York….”

Current law does not allow the state to prosecute a person for a crime if the person was convicted of or pled guilty to under federal law. The current AG, Barbara Underrwood, is pushing to have that law changed.

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney is also seeking the AG seat, even as he runs again to represent his congressional seat in the Hudson Valley. A state judge ruled that he can run for both offices, but if he loses the AG primary he has said he will pursue his congressional campaign.

Maloney’s website also targets Trump. A post says, “When you’ve got crooks in the White House, crooks in Albany, and crooks in corporate suites, you need a leader with the passion to fight and the experience to win. That’s why I’m running for attorney general. I’ve successfully defended the Constitution and our progressive values against the Trump Administration’s attacks down in Washington—but now it’s time to go on offense.”

Another candidate is Zephyr Teachout, who challenged Cuomo in a primary four years ago, and who ran unsuccessfully for the congressional seat that includes Sullivan County.

A post regarding Trump on her website says, “Three days after he was elected, I was one of a team of top lawyers to sue Trump for his violations of the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. That lawsuit, which is still ongoing, would force him to divest his business interests. I will continue to aggressively follow the evidence of his personal, campaign, and business activities that violate New York State and federal law.”

She has been endorsed by The New York Times, which said she is the best choice to fill the office and says, “The office is a potential firewall against an out-of-control president and a historically corrupt New York State government.”

The fourth candidate running for the Democratic nod is Leecia Eve, a lawyer who worked as a counsel to then U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and she also worked for Cuomo.

This message is on her website: “New York currently faces unprecedented challenges—under attack by a federal administration that refuses to enforce, and seeks to roll back, progress we have fought hard to achieve. With your support, I will protect and defend our state against those who would seek to undermine the rights of our citizens and help make New York stronger than ever.”

The New York State Primary this year is scheduled for September 13, a Thursday, because Tuesday, September 11 this year falls on the last day of Rosh Hashanah.