ALBANY — A day before the state Democratic convention kicks off, Gov. Cuomo threw his support behind city Public Advocate Letitia James’ run for attorney general.
Calling her “the right person for the job,” Cuomo’s endorsement Tuesday is hardly a surprise, though he did pick James over former aide Leecia Eve, who also has said she will run for the office.
“Public Advocate Tish James has dedicated her career to fighting for justice, defending the rights of New Yorkers, and serving as a voice for the voiceless,” Cuomo said.
He called her “a talented lawyer and a powerful advocate” and said that “as Attorney General she will champion our progressive values and fight back against Donald Trump and the ultra right wing Republicans’ divisive, hateful agenda.”
James said she was looking to build on Cuomo’s record from when he was attorney general before becoming governor.
And while she did not formally endorse Cuomo’s re-election bid, she came close.
“Together, Gov. Cuomo and I will continue the progress we have made for New Yorkers and protect our shared values from those who want to take us backward,” she said.
Insiders say Cuomo had at one point considered replacing Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul on the ticket with James.
Members of the Working Families Party, which has feuded with the governor, say they were told that Cuomo would back James on the Democratic ticket if she snubbed the minor party’s nomination process, which she did. Both Cuomo and James denied he pressured her to do so.
In addition to James and Eve, Fordham Law Prof. Zephyr Teachout and Hudson Valley Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney have said they are considering runs for attorney general.
Cuomo’s endorsement of James came hours after two influential unions, the Communications Workers of America and Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, also backed her.
Communications Workers of America District One Vice President Dennis Trainor cited James’ support in the union’s fight against Verizon, for whom Eve has been a lobbyist since 2013.
