NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking a third term this fall, facing Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor who says the state’s top law-enforcement office should focus more closely on public safety and everyday concerns.
James, a Democrat from Brooklyn, has gained national attention through high-profile legal actions against President Donald Trump and his policies. She says her work is grounded in her oath to the Constitution and her responsibility to protect New Yorkers, uphold civil liberties and defend the rule of law.
Komatireddy, a Manhattan Republican, argues that the attorney general’s office has become too politically focused. She says residents need stronger attention to crime, repeat offenders and quality-of-life issues.
A former federal prosecutor, Komatireddy also served as chief of staff at the Drug Enforcement Administration during the Biden administration. She has pledged to prioritize prosecutions and public safety, pointing to the office’s more than 700 assistant attorneys general as a resource that she believes should be directed toward those goals.
James disputes the claim that her office has neglected local concerns. She has said the attorney general’s responsibilities include addressing crime and other issues affecting residents, as well as responding to wider threats to the state and its institutions.
The race is one of several statewide contests on New Yorkers’ ballots this fall. James enters the campaign with a substantial polling advantage, with most surveys cited in the report showing her ahead by double digits. That lead makes her the favorite, though the contest will test whether voters support her broad legal agenda or Komatireddy’s call for a sharper focus on public safety.
