Wofford has more cash than James in NY attorney general race

ALBANY — Republican Keith Wofford enters the final weeks of his underdog campaign for state attorney general with more money on hand and a TV ad blitz in the can to use against Democrat Letitia James in what polls show is the GOP’s best shot at winning a statewide seat.

Wofford, a Manhattan attorney, had $400,977 in his campaign account as of his Oct. 8 financial disclosure report.

James, the New York City public advocate, had $383,808 on hand at a time when Democrats in the heavily Democratic state usually have an advantage. James, however, had to fund a bruising four-way primary, depleting her account.

In the last three months, Wofford received $755,363 in contributions to James’ $320,363, state records show.

Wofford’s campaign has paid $1 million from a recent surge in contributions to a television production company for ads that stress  his Buffalo roots and the need for an independent attorney general rather than one “hand-picked” by the governor.

Wofford’s late spending is the result in part of a lucrative final month of fundraising, including $169,947 collected in a single day, Oct. 1, records show.

The contributions included $25,000 from billionaire investor and philanthropist Kenneth Langone, who also contributed $10,000 in August, records show.

In the campaign, the candidates have accused each other of conflicts of interest.

Wofford says James is beholden to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the Democratic power structure James would have to investigate in any future corruption cases.

James said Wofford would give a "free pass" to Wall Street, which the attorney general monitors, and big pharmaceutical companies, which the office regulates. James also says Wofford supports Republican President Donald Trump’s agenda, an assertion Wofford denies.

“When I get in office, I am severing my ties with my law firm,” Wofford said in an interview Thursday. “She will never sever her political ties. That’s the difference.”

James spokesman, Jack Sterne said, “New Yorkers can’t trust him [Wofford] to be transparent, let alone take on pressing issues like corruption in Albany, protecting our rights and standing up to Trump.”

Also running for attorney general are Nancy Sliwa on the Reform Party line, Green Party candidate Michael Sussman and Christopher Garvey of the Libertarian Party.

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.