ALBANY, N.Y. -- One day after Sheldon Silver signaled his time as  speaker of the Assembly is almost over, Democratic lawmakers began the campaign to replace him. 

"I think there are a great number of people in our conference who have exhibited great leadership in the last couple of days. In the next several days they will make their decision in terms of whether they will be seeking the office," said Joe Morelle, D- Assembly Majority Leader.

Majority Leader Joe Morelle becomes acting speaker on Monday. And he is not ruling out running for the post himself come February 10. 

"Today is not the day to make an announcement," he said.

But on Wednesday, other lawmakers tossed their hats into the ring, including Keith Wright of Manhattan. However he rescinded that intention Wednesday, saying he has decided not to run and instead endorse Bronx Assemblyman Carl Heastie.

The frontrunner for the job is believed to be Heastie, who announced his own intentions to run in a statement, pledging reforms and openness in the chamber. 

Queens Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan also expressed interest.

"I'm not running as a woman. I'm running certainly as somebody who has been here 30 years and has learned a lot and done it full time. Never had any outside income. I love what I do here," said Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, D- Queens.

It's widely expected that no matter who the next speaker of the Assembly is, it will be someone from New York City, not from the upstate region. Given the domination of New York City lawmakers in the chamber, few upstaters have actually held the job. 

"Historically it is a New York City position. Go back 40, 50, 60 years the speaker has always come from one of the five boroughs and I do expect that to carry on," said Wright.

But Assemblywoman Pat Fahy of the Albany area said the main criteria should be which candidate can work to bring together the various factions and competing interests in the 150-member chamber. 

"I've seen these stuff on geography and gender and ethnicity and race. For me this is so much about who is best qualified to unify us," said Assemblywoman Pat Fahy, D- Albany.

Either way, the campaign for speaker won't be a traditional election. It will be run in the halls of the Capitol, in Albany's restaurants and in deal-making phone calls.