Letitia James Suspends Campaign For New York Governor, Turns To Reelection As Attorney General
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York's Attorney General Letitia James has suspended her campaign for governor.
James announced Thursday she will seek reelection to her current office.
"There are a number of important investigations and cases that are underway, and I intend to finish the job," James wrote in a Tweet.
A recent Siena College poll showed Gov. Kathy Hochul was leading the field of Democrats in the gubernatorial primary and had a double-digit lead over James.
"The Attorney General did call me this morning earlier, and she let me know her intention was to remain doing the critically important work that she has undertaken," Hochul said Thursday. "All I can say is I respect her tremendously, always have... and I look forward to having her on the ticket as we head into the November election together."
Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Long Island Democrat running for governor, said on Twitter, "I offer my best wishes to Attorney Gen @TishJames as she continues to pursue her deep calling to public service. She has tremendous responsibilities as the sitting AG & I understand her desire to devote her energies to seeing through & continuing the important matters before her."
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, another Democrat in the race, said, James "is a dedicated public servant, an inspiration to so many as the first woman of more color to win statewide office, and I've been honored to work alongside her when she was in the City Council, the Public Advocate, and in her current role as Attorney General, where she is doing important work to hold people and institutions accountable."
Rep. Lee Zeldin, a Long Island Republican running for governor, said, "Christmas came early for Jumaane Williams. With Letita James out of the race, the field in New York City - the highest concentration of New York's Democratic Party Primary voters - is clearer than ever for Jumaane, and he's well on his way to putting up some big numbers on the board come Primary Day 2022."
James' announcement came amid reports her office wants former President Donald Trump to testify in its investigation into alleged fraud within the Trump Organization.
The Attorney General's Office said it would not comment on those reports, but Gov. Hochul said, "This is a very bad day for Donald Trump and the NRA... "
