Mayor Adams Backs AG Letitia James for Re-Election; Cuomo Plans Comeback

By: Ilana Siyance

On Sunday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams officially backed state Attorney General Letitia James’ reelection bid. “Attorney General Letitia James has distinguished herself nationally through her successful fights for justice, but she never lost the get stuff done attitude that embodies her hometown Brooklyn,” said Adams in a statement distributed by James’ campaign.

“She has the courage and experience to stand up to anyone who breaks the law and harms vulnerable people, no matter how powerful they may be,” Adams added. “I am proud to endorse Attorney General James for re-election and urge all New Yorkers to join me [in] supporting our champion for justice.”

James, whose investigation led to former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, had announced a bid for NYS governor in October. Since then, however, she dropped out of that race amid fundraising challenges, and announced she will seek re-election as the state’s top prosecutor. James, a Democrat, was first elected as Attorney General in 2018. The 63-year-old Brooklyn native is the first African-American and the first woman to be elected as AG.

As reported by the NY Post, James welcomed Adams’ endorsement. “I am running for re-election to finish the job I started, and I am proud to earn the support of Mayor Eric Adams,” she said. “Together, we can build a more just society where everyone must play by the same rules, and no one lives beyond the protective shade of justice.”

James’ pivot to seek reelection in her post, has led other candidates, who had entered the AG race while she was supposed to be running for governor, to drop out. Among others, State Assemblyman Clyde Vanel (D-Queens) and former superintendent of NY’s Department of Financial Services Maria Vullo both dropped out of the AG race, and are now backing James for the position, leaving James largely uncontested for re-election.

Adams’ endorsement comes after his two-hour dinner with Cuomo at restaurant Osteria La Baia in Midtown Manhattan on Feb. 1. Adams was critiqued for the meeting, with critics noting the 11 sexual-harassment allegations against Cuomo. Cuomo has been repeatedly complaining about James’ investigation, accusing her of ulterior motives in vacating his gubernal seat, and citing supposed inaccuracies and unfairness in her report. As per the Post, on Thursday, Cuomo defense lawyer Rita Glavin said Cuomo “is going to personally make a complaint” alleging attorney misconduct by James.

Adams defended his decision to meet with the scandal-scarred ex-governor, saying he would have to be “foolish” not to hear from former long-time elected officials like Cuomo. He said Cuomo shared “creative ideas on how to get businesses back up and operating.”