New York attorney general Letitia James, who oversaw the investigation into former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s sexual assault allegations, announced her candidacy for governor Friday.
Now, James will be up against Gov. Kathy Hochul in what is set up to be an extremely competitive primary shaped by ideology, race and region.
Her announcement comes just a day after Cuomo was charged in a sexual misconduct complaint from a former Cuomo aide, per the New York Times.
That development, according to James, validated “the findings in our report” and cemented her case for leadership.
James is the first woman of color to be elected to statewide office in New York and is seeking to become the first black female governor in the country.
“I’m running for governor of New York because I have the experience, vision, and courage to take on the powerful on behalf of all New Yorkers,” James wrote on Twitter. “Let’s do this, together.”
“I’ve spent my career guided by a simple principle: Stand up to the powerful on behalf of the vulnerable,” she said in her announcement video.
