James is the first Black Woman to Win a Major Party Statewide Nomination in New York

Washington, D.C.— Following the Democratic primary last night, the Democratic Attorneys General Association (@DemocraticAGs) endorsed Letitia James for New York Attorney General. James is the New York City Public Advocate and former New York City Council Member for the 35th District in Brooklyn. Before serving on the City Council, James served as head of the Brooklyn Regional Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Office. James is the first black woman to win a major party statewide nomination in New York.

“Tish James has spent her career standing up for those without a voice,” said Sean Rankin, Executive Director of the Democratic Attorneys General Association. “The transition from being a protector of the people’s interests as Public Advocate to the people’s lawyer as New York Attorney General is a natural one. Tish James will put people above politics and make sure the law is a tool for both justice and fairness.”

In November, James will face Republican candidate, Keith Wofford, who ran unopposed. Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York by a margin of more than two to one.

“Right now, we need leadership in our states and at the national level who are ready to fight for people. Democratic Attorneys General have come together like never before to fight as a team,” added Rankin. “They have become the only effective check-and-balance on the Trump administration’s repeated attempts to step on the rights of all people in this country.”

The Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) provides political and policy support to Democratic Attorneys General and candidates in their mission to protect civil rights, promote progress and diversity, fight corruption, and ensure the law is applied fairly for all of those that live and work in America.  Democratic Attorneys General play a crucial role in protecting our democracy as part of our country’s system of checks and balances.

“James’ role as a watchdog on government in New York City is the kind of training that will make her an incredibly effective watchdog on the federal government,” continued Rankin. “We look forward to having her take her place at the table with a growing cadre of Democratic Attorneys General, who are putting people first.”

“Democratic Attorneys General are fighting tirelessly every day to protect the people in their states and to serve as a check on the Trump administration’s repeated attempts to undermine our democracy—Tish James will play a huge role in that work,” concluded Rankin. “We look forward to having her join our growing room of Democratic Attorneys General in November.”

The Democratic Attorneys General Association is continuing to build a platform to highlight Democratic Attorney General successes and to extend their reach as they serve as the People’s Lawyers. From bringing those outside of the political arena into the fold through partnerships with General Assembly to driving the 1881 Initiative to elect more Democratic women to the office of Attorney General with Emerge America, DAGA continues to prioritize innovation, data-based decision making, communication, and relationship-building as key elements to providing political and policy support to Democratic State Attorneys General and candidates. 

For more information on Tish James, please visit DAGA’s Meet the Candidates page.