ALBANY, N.Y. -- The swift downfall of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Monday evening — resigning within hours of a New Yorker story detailing allegations of physical abuse, drug and alcohol use — were followed virtually within the same breath of who would replace him.

In essence, the effort to replace Schneiderman -- whose resignation became official at 5 p.m. -- will be on two separate tracks: the legislative and the ballot box.

Lawmakers last replaced a statewide official in 2007 when Comptroller Alan Hevesi resigned. At the time, they turned to one of their own, Long Island Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, who remains in office today.

With a 100-plus member majority, the pick is likely to be largely up to the Democratic-led Assembly. Several calculations may be taking place: Will the Assembly pick a placeholder who would not run for post? Or would they find someone who wants to keep the job? Would the replacement be a liberal firebrand or someone who would draw a primary challenger in the mold of Cynthia Nixon? Will it be a state lawmaker? What role will labor unions with deep influence like the New York State United Teachers play? What about the New York City county chairs like Queens’s Joe Crowley will play?

Those variable aside, a range of names have surfaced within the last 12 hours of potential candidates who could run for attorney general, including former New York City Councilman Dan Garodnick, Sens. Michael Gianaris and Todd Kaminsky, New York City Public Advocate Tish James, Cuomo counsel Alphonso David, ex-Financial Services Superintendent Ben Lawsky, former gubernatorial and congressional candidate Zephyr Teachout and former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner.

Among members of the Assembly alone, names include Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, Assemblyman Sean Ryan, and Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein.

Even some have floated Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who the governor has made little secret of wanting to run for the congressional seat held by Republican Rep. Chris Collins.

The last time there was an open race for the AG’s office was in 2010, when Andrew Cuomo left to run for governor. At the time, there was a crowded primary field to replace him, ranging from Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, attorney Sean Coffey, Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo and Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

Schneiderman, then a state senator, emerged as the victor after garnering support from the party’s liberal base.

The AG’s office has been a desirable one for any ambitious Democrat in New York given the office’s expansive powers, ability to garner favorable headlines and its clear stepping stone to becoming governor.

The likely primary for attorney general also throws another wrench into a political environment that includes an activist-based campaign from Nixon, who is challenging Cuomo for a third term this year. Given the circumstances of Schneiderman’s resignation, the power the office wields, the Democratic energy surrounding the election season and it’s a potentially unpredictable concoction for what happens next.

At the moment, the AG’s office is being filled on a temporary basis by the state’s solicitor general, Barbara Underwood.