Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

AG Letitia James Expected to Announce Gubernatorial Bid in Coming Days

Three sources close to James confirmed the plans to The Associated Press
Attorney General Letitia James. Photo: Matt Cohen/Flickr creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

New York State Attorney General and Fort Greene resident Letitia James is on the verge of announcing a run for New York Governor.

Three people familiar with James’ plans confirmed the news to The Associated Press on Wednesday, with one saying James would make an announcement later this week.

In a statement, James’ campaign adviser Kimberly Peeler-Allen said: “Attorney General Letitia James has made a decision regarding the governor’s race. She will be announcing it in the coming days.”

James would make history in the role as the first Black governor of New York and first woman elected to the top spot. The 63-year-old Working Families Party member will be running against current Governor Kathy Hochul, who previously served as Andrew Cuomo’s assistant governor. Hochul took the gubernatorial position after a sexual harassment scandal saw Cuomo resign from the role.

James, who became attorney general in 2019, would be a more progressive candidate than Hochul and has frequently made headlines for taking on former President Donald Trump, the NRA and the Republican administration.

Before becoming attorney general, James was New York City’s public advocate, a member of City Council, and a public defender and an assistant state attorney general.  She graduated from Lehman College in the Bronx and earned her law degree from Howard University in Washington, The Associated Press reports.

In 2020, Cuomo authorized James in her role as attorney general to investigate allegations he had sexually harassed several women. The independent investigation found 11 women made credible accusations against the former governor.

However, Cuomo and his allies denied the report was fair and accurate and have repeatedly claimed James was politicking to get closer to the governor spot.

James, in turn, has said Cuomo had “never taken responsibility for his own conduct,” NBC reports.

“Mr. Cuomo has a lot to say on these matters, but he’s never taken responsibility for his own conduct. He’s never held himself accountable for how his behavior affected our state government,” James said.

If James confirms a run for governor, she will be just the second confirmed candidate in what will no doubt be a competitive race. Already, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have hinted that they are considering a run for the top job.

The primary election for New York State Governor is in June 2022, and the general election is in November 2022.




Comments