New York Attorney General Letitia James ends campaign for governor, will instead seek another term

New York Attorney General Letitia James has dropped her campaign to become the state's next governor and will instead run for reelection to her current post.

James entered the gubernatorial race in October following the bombshell report released by her office on the sexual harassment claims against fellow Democrat and then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo that ultimately led to his resignation.

Recent polls, however, show James trailing by double digits current Gov. Kathy Hochul – also a Democrat and the state's first female governor. James' exit from the race further solidifies Hochul's frontrunner status. 

"I have come to the conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general," James said in a statement Thursday in which she also expressed her desire to "finish the job" on several "important investigations and cases" that she is overseeing.

In addition to the Cuomo report, James' office continues its high-profile investigation of the Trump Organization's financial matter.

James' announcement came the same day as her office announced that it intends to subpoena the former president to testify in a civil fraud investigation. 

Hochul says she supports James' reelection bid and looks forward to "having her on the ticket as we head into the November election together."