David Jackson

USA TODAY

There's one less candidate to be the new attorney general.

Former White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler has told President Obama she doesn't want to be nominated as Eric Holder's replacement.

Obama is not expected to select a new attorney general until after the Nov. 4 congressional elections.

Among the possible picks: Solicitor General Don Verrilli; Labor Secretary Tom Perez; Loretta Lynch, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York; and Preet Bharara, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

A Ruemmler nomination could have run into confirmation problems. Republican senators criticized some of her decisions as the top White House lawyer.

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough issued a statement in praise of Ruemmler.

"Kathy is someone who always tells it like it is, is a world-class lawyer, and remains a trusted adviser to the President," McDonough said. "Anyone who knows Kathy knows she has impeccable judgment, extraordinary foresight, and is a formidable force. But she is also as selfless as they come, and the President is proud to call her a close friend."

From the Associated Press, which first reported the story:

"Ruemmler was concerned that her experience as a close adviser to the president would have led to a difficult confirmation process in the current highly charged partisan environment, the sources said, speaking on a condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss private discussions. ...

"Obama's aides say he has not yet made up his mind on whom to nominate and won't announce a choice until after the Nov. 4 elections, in part to avoid making the nominee into a political issue facing embattled Democratic candidates. They say he also hasn't decided whether to seek confirmation in the Senate's lame duck session later this year or to wait until the new year, when Republicans are expected to pick up seats if not win outright control."