Who we're endorsing: For New York State Attorney General

New Yorkers this year have a choice between incumbent Democrat Letitia A. James and Republican Michael Henry for attorney general.

James is a talented politician. Her terrific interpersonal skills, keen eye for the camera and ear for messaging, and a preternatural instinct for navigating the state’s cutthroat politics have served her well. She won a seat on the New York City Council, and then, as the city’s public advocate, springboarded herself to statewide office. In 2018, she became the first woman and Black attorney general.

Under James’ tenure, the AG’s office has done some important work on behalf of New Yorkers, leading the multistate litigation to punish opioid manufacturers and distributors and requiring Long Island real estate firms to take actions designed to stop racial steering in housing sales. 

Henry is a commercial litigator with almost no political footprint. He said he would evaluate whether to continue to defend some provisions of the state's new gun permitting law. Henry praised James for enforcing fair housing laws, but said he would see whether abysmal conditions in complexes operated by the New York City Housing Authority constitute discrimination.

Additionally, he seeks to streamline some of the office's regulatory oversight of insurance and financial services.

Below, see our pick for New York State Attorney General, as well as our picks in congressional and other races.