Letitia James Drops Out Of NY Governor's Race

NEW YORK CITY — Letitia James abruptly dropped out of New York's gubernatorial race to instead run for re-election as attorney general.

"I have come to the conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general," she tweeted Thursday. "There are a number of important investigations and cases that are underway, and I intend to finish the job. I am running for re-election to complete the work New Yorkers elected me to do."

The decision sent immediate shockwaves through New York's political world.

James, who hails from Brooklyn, had been a leading Democratic contender against current Gov. Kathy Hochul. Polls consistently found her running in second place and her presence in the field threatened to crowd out other the two other New York City-based candidates, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Hochul said she has always respected James and supports her in the attorney general's race.

“All I would say is this, this is a very bad day for Donald Trump and the NRA,” she said, alluding to two high-profile cases under James' watch.

The decision could also hurt de Blasio's and Williams' chances in the gubernatorial race. Within minutes of James' announcement, the head of the powerful Brooklyn Democratic Party endorsed Hochul — a move that could consolidate New York City political support for an upstate governor.

"I am confident that Hochul will be the best choice to lead our state forward through the recovery, and she will support of Brooklyn behind her as she continues to blaze a path as our first female governor," Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who leads the Brooklyn Democrats, said in a statement.

James' shocking announcement could also have implications for another gargantuan political fight. Just hours before NY1 reporter Zack Fink broke the gubernatorial race story, the Washington Post reported that James sought to depose former President Donald Trump.

James is investigating whether the Trump Organization committed financial fraud in the property valuations it offered to various entities.

A previous James-led probe led to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation after investigators found he sexually harassed several women. Cuomo continues to deny the accusations and his allies have argued that James used the investigation to perform a political hit to clear her way in the gubernatorial race.

James' decision to drop out from the race could defang those charges — and complicate the contest for attorney general. Several Democrats, including former gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, were eyeing the position, as detailed in a recent City & State story.