The Republican candidate challenging New York Attorney General Letitia James is accusing the incumbent Democrat of abusing her office and prioritizing politics over public safety.
Saritha Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor and national security official, recently secured the endorsement of the New York Republican State Committee in her bid to unseat James. In an interview, Komatireddy argued that the race is about restoring trust in the rule of law in a state she says has suffered under one-party control.
Komatireddy, who clerked for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and previously served as chief of staff at the Drug Enforcement Administration, framed her campaign as a referendum on James’s record since taking office in 2019.
“New York is America’s city,” Komatireddy said, noting her family’s immigrant background and ties to the state. She argued that the attorney general’s role should be focused squarely on public safety and enforcing the law, not on advancing what she described as a far-left ideological agenda.
James has been a prominent legal adversary of President Donald Trump, pursuing multiple high-profile cases against him and his businesses. More recently, James faced legal scrutiny herself over allegations tied to a mortgage on a Virginia property. Although the case was ultimately dropped, the controversy drew national attention.
Komatireddy contends that while James has pursued political targets, crime in New York has risen and residents have left the state in large numbers. Citing statistics she referenced during the interview, Komatireddy claimed crime is up significantly while more than a million residents have moved out in recent years.
She argued that New Yorkers need an attorney general focused on prosecuting crime, addressing corruption in state government, and ensuring that vulnerable populations — including the homeless and mentally ill — receive appropriate care rather than remaining on the streets.
Komatireddy also pointed to high-profile prosecutions in New York City, including the case against Marine veteran Daniel Penny in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely, as examples of what she sees as misplaced priorities in the state’s justice system. She criticized what she described as a trend of targeting “Good Samaritans” instead of focusing on violent offenders.
The race is expected to draw national attention, particularly given New York City’s recent election of progressive Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the broader political climate in the state.
The Republican Attorneys General Association has also backed Komatireddy. Executive Director Adam Piper described her as a strong candidate in what he acknowledged is a challenging race for Republicans in deep-blue New York.
Despite facing an incumbent with statewide name recognition, Komatireddy said she does not view herself as an underdog. She argued that James is “a household name for all the wrong reasons” and claimed voters are ready for change.
The contest is shaping up as a broader debate over public safety, prosecutorial priorities, and the direction of New York’s leadership at a time when crime, cost of living, and political polarization remain top concerns for many residents.
