• Senate Democrat Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris talks about gun violence at a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018, in Albany, N.Y. The Senate Democrats unveiled a series of bills they say would keep guns away from dangerous individuals and protect communities. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union) Photo: PAUL BUCKOWSKI / (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
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Senate Democrat Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris talks about gun violence at a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018, in Albany, N.Y. The Senate Democrats unveiled a series of bills they say would keep guns away from dangerous individuals and protect communities. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union) less
Senate Democrat Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris talks about gun violence at a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018, in Albany, N.Y. The Senate Democrats unveiled a series of bills they say ... more
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Senator Michael Gianaris speaks to the press outside a public forum on Independent Redistricting at the Legislative Office Building in Albany, N.Y. Tuesday June 7, 2011. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)
Senator Michael Gianaris speaks to the press outside a public forum on Independent Redistricting at the Legislative Office Building in Albany, N.Y. Tuesday June 7, 2011. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)
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Sen. Michael Gianaris, center, and Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, to his left, talk with the media following the the mass exit of Senate Democrats during session on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union) less
Sen. Michael Gianaris, center, and Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, to his left, talk with the media following the the mass exit of Senate Democrats during session on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at the Capitol in ... more
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ALBANY — State Sen. Mike Gianaris said in a statement Friday morning that he will not participate in the Legislature's process for appointing a new attorney general ahead of November's regular general election.

The Queens Democrat, who has previously expressed interest in the AG's office, had been considered to be a potential candidate for the legislative process, which is slated to begin next week with public interview sessions.

"I am grateful to the many leaders who are encouraging me to run for Attorney General and intend to give serious consideration to doing so," he said in a statement. "In the coming days and weeks, I will continue speaking with my supporters and other interested New Yorkers as I decide whether to seek election to the Attorney General's office this year. This is a critical time in New York and a decision that deserves careful thought. As a result, I will not be participating in the expedited legislative selection process next week."

Because of its size relative to the full Legislature, the Assembly's Democratic majority will largely control the process of picking the next attorney general — similar to the way it dominated the selection of then-Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli to serve as state comptroller following the 2007 exit of Alan Hevesi.

Gianaris is a former Assemblyman.