Letitia James, New York City’s public advocate, won the Democratic primary for New York State attorney general, and could become the first African-American woman to hold statewide office in New York, reports Vox.com. James defeated U.S. Rep. Sean Maloney, attorney Zephyr Teachout, and Leecia Eve, a Verizon executive with past government experience. James won the backing of the state Democratic Party and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s endorsement, which gave her a boost of name recognition and clout outside of New York City, where shpe reviously served as a City Council member. James had jumped out as the front runner for the attorney general job soon after Eric Schneiderman resigned amid assault allegations. But as insurgent progressive campaigns started to get attention in New York and elsewhere, James’s Democratic Party backing turned her into the establishment figure in the race.
Like her three defeated opponents, James vowed she would take on corruption in Albany, the state capital — and President Trump. The state Attorney General’s Office sued Trump University under the leadership of Schneiderman, and his temporary successor, Barbara Underwood, brought a lawsuit against Trump’s family charity. The office is reportedly investigating Michael Cohen’s taxes, too. James will face GOP candidate Keith Wofford in November, an attorney originally from Buffalo who is the first African-American Republican candidate for attorney general. Wofford has also vowed to clean up corruption in Albany, and he’s pointed out the many Democratic attorneys generals who have failed to do so in years past. Wofford has been cagey about investigating Trump; he’s said he’ll focus on bringing suits that benefit the interests of New York, not on trying to score political points.