Politics

Letitia James Wins New York Primary, Eying To Fill Attorney General Position Left Open By Schneiderman

Reuters

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Vandana Rambaran Political Reporter
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New York City’s public advocate, Letitia James, beat three other Democrats on the ballot on Thursday to take on uncontested Republican nominee Keith Wofford, a partner at the law firm Ropes & Gray, in the race for state attorney general come November.

James won the nomination with 43.3 percent of the vote, beating her closest opponent, law professor Zephyr Teachout, who got 30.1 percent of the votes, The New York Times reported Thursday at the time of reporting. James raked in 434,335 votes to Teachout’s 302, 445 votes.

James’ closest projected contender, New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, took only 23.3 percent of the votes.

The office for attorney general was left wide open after former state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was forced to step down amidst multiple allegations of sexual assault in May. (RELATED: Here’s What To Expect On Election Day In The New York Primaries)

James was endorsed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but her critics have attacked her for her closeness to him, saying that the position needs to remain independent of the head of the state’s executive branch.

Regardless of whether James or Wofford win the post of attorney general, either would be a historical feat. James would become the first African American woman to be elected to the office, while Wofford would become the first Republican African-American to hold the position.

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