Fiery New York AG Campaigns Draw Stark Contrasts |Decision 2026

NEW YORK — The race for New York Attorney General has gotten personal.

The campaigns have drawn stark contrasts between the candidates, but beyond the traded barbs, the two fundamentally disagree about what the job they are running for involves.

The candidates used their only in-person debate to highlight that very issue.

Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy's campaign has staked out a defiant thought on crime position in the race against the incumbent, Democrat Letitia James.

"I'm running for Attorney General because New York is not safe under Leticia James," Komatireddy said at the recent NY1 debate. "Crime is up. Homelessness is up, and we are the worst in the nation in prosecuting fraud. And that's because, New Yorkers, you do not have an attorney general right now. For the last eight years, you’ve had a political hack sitting in the chair using our taxpayer money for her political purposes."

Komatireddy, a career federal prosecutor said that making mental illness and Medicaid fraud priorities will make New Yorkers safer.

James countered that Komatireddy fundamentally misunderstands the authority and purview of the job.

"It is important that individuals understand that my opponent knows nothing about the office of the attorney general," James said on the debate stage.

The incumbent touted her record of removing illegal guns from the streets, prosecuting members of gangs. and winning huge judgments against opioid manufacturers.

James insisted that one of the most important ways her administration has helped make New Yorkers safer is by standing up to the Trump administration.

"You, unfortunately, have not said anything critical of this administration, and you won't, because you are basically auditioning for another position," James told her opponent. "We all know that."

"I will protect New Yorkers," Komatireddy jabbed back, "Whether it's against President Trump or President AOC."

James faced her harshest criticism from her challenger about having been appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul as the special prosecutor in charge of the Cornell University rape investigation.

James had previously expressed support for the alleged victim, known only as "Jane Doe."

"Those comments demonstrate empathy," James said. "And what we need now more than ever in our body politics is more empathy."

Komatireddy said the case highlights the need for a new AG.

"[James] never prosecuted a criminal case in her whole career," Komatireddy said. "She's certainly never prosecuted a sexual assault case. And she's already screwed this one up by prejudging it."

The NY1 New York Attorney General debate can be seen in its entirety here.