NEW YORK – After many month of speculation, Letitia “Tish” James formally announced on Friday that she is running for Governor of New York. The announcement was made via Twitter, where she stated, “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 also released a campaign video. It contained many accomplishments, as well as her numerous lawsuits against the former President Donal J. Trump and his administration.
During last month’s Orange County Latino Democratic Fall Dinner Dance James asked, “How can I best make transformational change?” She smiled and answered, “So that is the challenge and the issue I am wrestling with. I love what I do as Attorney General, but the questions is, can I best serve this state in my current role or in another role?” While no answer was given, at the time, today we know the answer.
Letitia James made history when she became the first woman to be elected as the Attorney General of New York, as well as the first Black person in that position. The 62-year-old James will challenge the current Governor Kathy Hochul for the Democratic nomination. Hochul was the Lieutenant Governor under Andrew Cuomo, who resigned following James’ report of sexual misconduct.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, James obtained her J.D. degree at Howard University in Washington, D.C., after graduating from Lehman College in the Bronx. She worked as a public defender, then on staff in the New York State Assembly, and later as an Assistant Attorney General.
James served as a member of the New York City Council from 2004 to 2013. She represented the 35th district, which includes the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, parts of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, and Bedford-Stuyvesant. James chaired the Economic Development and Sanitation Committees, and served on several other committees. She was later the New York City Public Advocate from 2013 to 2018.
If elected, James would become the first Black female governor of any state.