Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat announced an exploratory committee for the state senate seat currently held by Eric Schneiderman – who is himself a potential Attorney General candidate.

The move is the latest sign that the dominos are beginning to fall statewide, despite Gov. Paterson’s insistence that he will remain the race for governor – and win – in the face of a certain primary juggernaut from current AG Andrew Cuomo.

“You may know, that New York State Senator Eric Schneiderman is currently considering statewide political office,” he wrote in a release. “In the event that this occurs, I will strongly consider running for the New York State Senate.”

Schneiderman made his own staff moves this week in anticipation of a run, as did another hopeful, Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice.