Letitia James Loses Major Ground in Re-Election Race As GOP Candidate Surges

New York Attorney General Letitia James still holds a double-digit advantage in her reelection campaign, but a new poll shows Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy narrowing the gap. A Siena University survey released Sept. 23 found James leading Komatireddy 52% to 39% among likely New York voters.

That represents a smaller advantage than Siena measured in August, when James led 54% to 36%. Her margin has therefore fallen from 18 points to 13 points between the two surveys. The September poll was conducted among likely New York voters, and Siena cautions that polling movement should be interpreted in light of the survey’s margin of error.

The latest numbers show a narrower race, but they do not by themselves establish that a lasting shift has occurred.

One of Komatireddy’s biggest challenges remains name recognition. More than two-thirds of likely voters told Siena they had either never heard of her or did not know enough about her to offer an opinion.

Her favorability rating stood at 17% favorable and 12% unfavorable. James, by comparison, was viewed favorably by 51% and unfavorably by 40% of likely voters.

Both candidates maintain substantial support within their respective parties. Siena found that more than 80% of voters in each party supported their party’s candidate.

Independent voters were considerably closer. James held a 43% to 40% advantage with that group in the September survey.

Regional results also showed differences across New York. James maintained her largest advantage in New York City, where she led 62% to 26%.

That New York City margin was smaller than Siena measured one month earlier, when James led there 71% to 20%. She also continued to hold narrower advantages in the downstate suburbs and upstate New York.

Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor, has focused her campaign on issues including crime, public safety and government accountability.

James, meanwhile, has defended her record as New York’s top law enforcement official while seeking another term.

The campaign is also taking place against the backdrop of James’ long-running legal disputes with President Donald Trump.

Siena pollster Steven Greenberg said Komatireddy remains relatively unknown to many likely voters as the campaign enters its closing stretch.

The same Siena survey found Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul leading Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman 50% to 41% in the governor’s race. That was little changed from August’s 49% to 39% result.

The attorney general contest showed more movement between the two polls. James remains ahead by double digits, while Komatireddy has reduced the measured deficit despite remaining unfamiliar to a large share of the electorate.

With Election Day approaching, future polling will provide more evidence about whether the September narrowing persists or reflects normal survey variation.