Letitia James Wins NY Attorney General Race, Makes History

NEW YORK — Public Advocate Letitia James claimed a historic victory Tuesday in the New York attorney general's race as the first black woman set to become New York's top law-enforcement official.

James, a Democrat, had about 3.45 million votes, or 59.65 percent, to Republican attorney Keith Wofford's 1.99 million, or 34.36 percent, with more than 99 percent of election districts reporting, according to unofficial vote totals from the state Board of Elections.

She will replace Eric Scheiderman, the onetime rising star who resigned in disgrace in May amid allegations that he abused four women.

James coasted to victory alongside Gov. Andrew Cuomo on a night when Democrats held out hope of taking control of the state Legislature and at least one house of Congress. Her win is likely to set off a heated race in New York City to replace her as public advocate next year.

Like Cuomo, James pledged to keep up New York's fight against President Donald Trump, whom they cast as a hostile force to the state. Schneiderman and his successor, Barbara Underwood, fought the president and his administration in court.

Addressing supporters in Brooklyn on Tuesday, James said she would hold Trump accountable with "the unbending power of the law" and shine "a bright light into every dark corner of his real estate dealings."

"We can spot a con man, we can spot a carnival barker and a fear-mongerer a mile away," James said. "And he should know that we here in New York — and I in particular — we are not scared of you."

Wofford, a Republican, wanted to bring change to a law-enforcement office that he argued is too hostile to business. He also said he would take on one of Albany's most entrenched problems: political corruption.

James aligned herself with Cuomo during her campaign, raising questions about her independence from a governor whose former top aide was convicted of corruption charges earlier this year. But she also pledged to tackle corruption on Tuesday.

"It doesn’t matter who you are — if you are betraying the public trust for personal gain, I will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law," she said.

Wofford conceded the race in a statement, saying he hopes James will be "an independent voice of law & order for the state of New York."

"Since I announced my campaign, it has been a pleasure to travel across New York State meeting with the hardworking men and women who aspire to have a more transparent and accountable state government," Wofford said. "Although this was not the outcome we wanted, I am grateful for those who put their confidence in me to get the job done."

(Lead image: Letitia James is seen on Sept. 13, 2018. Photo by Kevin Hagen/Associated Press)