NYS Democrats back Letitia James for another term

SYRACUSE — New York Democrats on Friday nominated Attorney General Letitia James as their designee for the 2026 race.

James, 67, of Brooklyn, has held the office since 2018, and is the first woman of color to serve in the position.

She ran unopposed for the party designation. Former federal prosecutor Saritha Komatireddy and attorney Khurram Dara are seeking the Republican nomination.

Hundreds of Democrats from around the state gathered in Syracuse Friday for a one-day convention to debate and vote on their designees for governor, lieutenant governor, state attorney general and comptroller.

Democrats in New York have a more than 2-to-1 enrollment advantage.

James, in accepting the nomination, immediately spoke against President Donald Trump and his push to nationalize elections, saying "We will not allow our elections to be nationalized ... You will not steal this election. Elections are for the people."

She described the federal government as "the most vindictive" and "vitriolic" in history, denouncing a number of the administration’s actions, including cuts to safety net programs and mass deportation efforts.

James quoted the late Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference, saying, "With every breath in my body, I will continue advocating to do the work necessary to stop those trying to turn back the hand of time. It is that message that is part of my spirit, that’s part of who I am, and I will do everything in my power as your attorney general to stop them from turning back the clock of progress."

James received two standing ovations from the delegates, who were packed into the Oncenter Carrier Theater. She was nominated by Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens, who applauded her work standing up for New Yorkers.

"Today is the celebration of a woman who has spent her life putting the people before herself and taking on anybody," Owens said. "She’s protected homeowners from debt theft, she stood up for tenants and workers, she took illegal guns and deadly drugs off our streets. She safeguarded women's rights and reproductive freedoms. She has protected our children in a digital world that too often leaves them vulnerable."

In her role as attorney general, James has made a name for herself taking on Trump. Her office is suing the administration for its halt of New York’s offshore wind projects and most recently announced a lawsuit against Trump for freezing federal funds for a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey.

This week James launched a legal observation project to monitor federal immigration enforcement in the state.

James in the past has taken on opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in the opioid epidemic, securing billions of dollars for the state, and successfully stopped a question about citizenship from being added to the census.

Before becoming attorney general, she served as public advocate for New York City.