On Dec. 2, NY Attorney General Letitia James came to Westchester to accept the endorsement of County Executive George Latimer and 12 members of the county board of legislators for Governor. On Dec. 9, James got out of the race for Governor, stating, “I have come to the conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general. There are a number of important investigations and cases that are underway, and I intend to finish the job. I am running for re-election to complete the work New Yorkers elected me to do.”
James’ decision to get out of the race for Governor affected two of Westchester’s most popular democrats. County Executive Latimer was rumored to be James’ pick for Lt. Govenor. And Westchester State Senator Shelley Mayer had announced her candidacy for NY Attorney General, to replace James. After James made her announcement, Mayer ended her run for AG.
While many are wondering why James got out of the race for Governor, and why she accepted the endorsement from Latimer and a dozen other Westchester democrats, one sound shore democrat gave us the best explanation we have heard of read.
“I think that Tish just didn’t have her heart to run for Governor, so she got out. I don’t think she was worried about fund raising, or the polls. But there was no guarantee that she would win a democratic primary against Governor Hochul and I do think that she wants to be the one who gets Trump. And the people around her said we could all be out of a job if we run for Governor and lose, why not run again for AG and see what happens with the former President.”
Another good point raised by our Westchester democratic friend. On Dec. 2, Governor Hochul quickly put together a list of Westchester democrats who endorsed her re-election. They included Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, and Assemblymembers Amy Paulin, Nader Sayegh, Steve Otis, Sandy Galef, and Chris Burdick. “While Latimer and 12 members of the county board endorsed Tish, Hochul got her support from Westchester, so i was a split. That may have also played a role and added to her doubt.”
Others in Westchester have asked why didn’t James wait another month or so to see how here campaign for Governor was going. The reason why James got out now was that so other democrats who were running to replace her as AG could have time to get out and return to a run for their current office, like Sen. Mayer.
Recent polling had Gov. Hochul with 36%, James at 18%, Jumaane Williams at 10%, Congressman Tom Suozzi at 6%, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio at 6%, with 24% undecided. The democratic primary for Governor will be on June 28, 2022.
