New York Attorney General Letitia James formally announces gubernatorial bid

New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday formally announced she is running for governor, following widespread expectation she would seek the governorship after lead a series of high-profile investigations including those into allegations former Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed numerous women.

“I’m running for governor of New York because I have the experience, vision, and courage to take on the powerful on behalf of all New Yorkers, James said in announcing her candidacy on Twitter.

A campaign video highlighted some off the other big lawsuits  including oneagainst former President Trump’s administration and an investigation into deaths in New York’s nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Associated Press.

The 62-year-old James is the first woman elected as New York’s attorney general and the first black person to serve in the role. She’s expected to be a strong challenger against Gov. Kathy Hochul, who had been Cuomo’s lieutenant governor, for the Democratic nomination. Cuomo resigned in the aftermath of the findings of the state attorney general's Office, the wire service also reports.