BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County District Attorney John Flynn says not only will he not seek another term this fall, but that he may even leave office before his current term expires.
Flynn discussed the possibility of stepping down early next year during a live interview on Channel 2 News at 5:30.
While that news may come as a surprise to some, Flynn says it really shouldn't.
First elected to his current office in 2016, Flynn insists it was never his intent to serve more than two, four-year terms.
As to why he may leave before the conclusion of his second term, Flynn dispelled any notion that he might be doing so in order to run for the congressional seat being vacated early next year, by his fellow Democrat Brian Higgins.
"I'm ready to go back into private practice," Flynn told WGRZ-TV's Claudine Ewing. "I've served for 28 years in the U.S. Navy, locally in the town of Tonawanda (as a judge, councilman, and town attorney), and as District Attorney. I think that I have done my public service."
With plans to enter private practice, Flynn says he won't hesitate to leave early should an opportunity present itself, and so that a potential employer wouldn't have to wait until the end of next December, when his current term expires, to start a new job.
Meanwhile, The Buffalo News quotes Erie County Democratic Party Chairman Jeremy Zellner as saying the party is prepared to endorse Michael Keane, who currently serves as Flynn's first deputy district attorney, as the party's candidate to succeed Flynn.
Flynn says Keane would have his full throated support for the position.
Flynn also currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the National District Attorney's Association.