Cooley decides against 4th term

Ending months of speculation, District Attorney Steve Cooley said Tuesday he will not run for a fourth term in 2012, opening the doors for a crowded field to succeed him.Daily News.

Cooley made the announcement quietly, saying in a telephone interview that he had mailed letters to supporters last week in which he explained that his decision was based on his age - he will be 65 when he completes his term - and the nearly 40 years he has worked as a prosecutor.

Since winning election to his third term in June 2008, Cooley had been reluctant to announce is plans.

While supporters urged him to seek a fourth term, Cooley had said he would not seek re-election if he believed that a successor could be found to continue his policies.