Letitia James.Photo: Dee Delgado/Getty
New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday officially launched a run for governor, throwing her hat in the ring less than two months after an investigation she led into former Gov. Andrew Cuomo found that he had sexually harassed multiple women — prompting his resignation.
Speculation about her political ambitions had run rampant in recent months, particularly after she launch an investigation into several harassment allegations against Cuomo, a fellow Democrat.
Investigating Cuomo further cemented her state-wide reputation at the same time that it fueled his downfall.
“This is a sad day for New York because independent investigators have concluded that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and, in doing so, broke the law,” James said in a statement at the time.
Cuomo has denied intentionally acting inappropriately, casting some of his behavior as inadvertent. This week he was accused of forcible touching, a misdemeanor, and is reportedly expected to be arraigned next month.
In addition to presiding over the investigation into Cuomo, James' office has been leading a three-year civil probe into the Trump Organization and is also assisting the Manhattan district attorney in acriminal investigation of Trump’s company. He denies wrongdoing and has called investigations into him politically motivated “witch hunts.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul assumed the governorship following Cuomo’s resignation, announcing in August that she would seek reelection once she serves the remainder of Cuomo’s term.
Hochul, 63, became New York’sfirst female governorwhen Cuomo left office.
James, a Democrat, hadevaded questionsabout whether she had any plans to run, telling reporters in August: “My focus is on my work in the office of the New York State Attorney General. I enjoy serving in the office of the New York State Attorney General and it’s entirely up to the people of the state of New York.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, James worked as a public defender early in her career, and was elected attorney general in November 2018.
If elected, she would be the first black female governor of any state.
source: people.com
