State attorney general candidate Eric Schneiderman is focusing on the anti-abortion stance of his opponent Dan Donovan, while the Republican says the issue is inconsequential. Erin Billups has the details.

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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- With the backing of pro-choice advocates, candidate for attorney general Eric Schneiderman continues to use abortion as a wedge issue in his race against republican Dan Donovan.

"He's made an effort to say choice doesn't matter," said Schneiderman.

Donovan maintains it's not that abortion doesn't matter. He said it just shouldn't be an issue in this race.

"It's been the law of our land for nearly 40 years, and it's been the law of our state from even before that. So that's never gonna change," said Donovan.

Pro-choice groups though disagree.

"Choice is very much on the table when it comes to electing an attorney general. In Virginia, even today, the attorney general is trying to close 20 safe, legal clinics," said Catherine Dederer-Plaskett, President/Chair Choice Matters Inc.

Schneiderman said the Attorney General's Office is the frontline of defense for abortion rights.

"It's not a role for someone who's going to be passive on the issue," said Schneiderman. "This is a time for activism. This is a time for a strong defense of these rights."

Schneiderman claims Donovan obtained grant monies for Staten Island pregnancy crisis centers, which are anti-abortion. A spokesperson for Donovan said anything he did was under the direction of the borough president, who ultimately signed off on any grants.

Donovan said, "What happens sometimes in political campaigns is people put up smoke screens."

Donovan argues not one woman on Staten Island was denied the right to choose while he's been district attorney, suggesting abortion is not what needs attention right now.

"I have no ties to Albany, no ties to the special interest there," said Donovan. "I think right now our state needs a prosecutor in this position, somebody who can root out corruption in state government."