BUFFALO, N.Y. — While the state Legislature continues to explore who to appoint as attorney general, the state Democratic Party is looking forward to its convention in two weeks.

"We have great candidates all across the state of New York. It will be a very competitive process," Party Chairman Byron Brown said.

It's unclear if anyone will have been appointed by May 23, but Brown said that person would not necessarily be the endorsed candidate as the party potentially moves toward a primary.

"It will be an open process and the state convention will be where we will decide who will be the endorsed Democratic candidate for attorney general," he said.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul has been mentioned by some party leaders as a potential candidate, but Wednesday in Rochester Hochul said her focus is on running for reelection.

"Those are my current plans but I would say that a day like this I prefer not to talk about politics. I really do think we need to be talking about how we can change a culture so more women will feel they can come forward," she said.

Hochul said she is disturbed by the stories that have emerged about former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. She's encouraging women who have dealt with similar experiences to use the situation as an opportunity to come forward.

"I, as the female lieutenant governor in the state of New York, continue to champion their voices for them and that's what I'm going to continue to do," she said.

The chair acknowledged diversity is something both he and the governor believe will be very important moving forward.

"Having a female candidate I think is something that could be incredibly attractive to the Democratic base and to New Yorkers in general," Brown said.

However, he said he does not want to show favoritism to any specific candidate right now.

"We want to make sure that it is an open process, a fair process and everyone who is qualified has the opportunity to present their credentials for consideration," he said.