New York Attorney General Leticia “Tish” James announced Thursday she will suspend her campaign for Governor. Her decision came as a surprise to New York’s political world and gives a significant boost to Governor Kathy Hochul.
“I have come to the conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general. There are a number of important investigations and cases that are underway, and I intend to finish the job. I am running for re-election to complete the work New Yorkers elected me to do,” James said in a statement.
James made the announcement in a tweet, saying she would instead run for re-election to her current position. “I have come to the conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general,” she wrote.
Her decision will reshuffle the race. With James dropping out of the NY Governor race and running for re-election, the chess pieces in the crowded statewide races continue to move. State Senator Shelley Mayer has now announced she will drop her bid for New York State Attorney General.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer who thought to be favored to be James running mate for Lt. Governor and endorsed James for Governor last Thursday said he respects her decision.
“Tish James is a very talented public official and I respect her decision to focus on the major prosecutions pending. I look forward to supporting her re-election as New York Attorney General,” CE Latimer shared with Black Westchester.
No word for Latimer’s office if he will be endorsing Gov. Hochul or any of the other candidates.
The move is a boost to Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), who ascended to the top job when then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) resigned earlier this year in the face of sexual harassment allegations. Hochul has a clearer path to victory with James’s departure but still faces New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and city Mayor Bill DeBlasio in a Democratic primary next June. A new Siena College poll out this week, before James stepped out, found Hochul with a lead in a volatile race.
While Sen. Mayer won’t be challenging James, she still could be facing other Democrats rumored to be eyeing the seat include Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, attorney and Fordham University law professor Zephyr Teachout, former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Dan Goldman, Rep. Kathleen Rice from Long Island and former superintendent of the state Department of Financial Services Maria Vullo. No word yet if any of the aforementioned potential candidates will drop out the race as well now that James is running for re-election.
Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this developing story that could be updated frequently.
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.
3 comments
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I pray that you can continue to grow and be an unbiased
Voice for our community.
Thank you, Mr. Frazier
This is a very informative platform
I pray that you can continue to grow and be an unbiased
Voice for our community.
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