New York Attorney General Letitia James once emerged as a rising star in Democratic politics—celebrated as a historic trailblazer, a formidable legal figure, and a reliable liberal voice in New York’s political arena.
However, as the 2026 election cycle approaches, the state’s first Black woman to hold statewide office now faces a federal investigation and a determined Republican challenger. What was once expected to be a smooth path to reelection has become increasingly uncertain.
James was elected New York AG in 2018 and quickly gained national prominence, particularly after leading a successful civil lawsuit against former President Donald Trump that resulted in nearly $500 million in penalties against his business empire. This victory was the culmination of a series of nearly 100 legal actions initiated by her office against Trump and his administration during and after his presidency.
What once stood as a strength in a predominantly Democratic state is now under scrutiny, especially amid growing GOP momentum and new legal challenges facing James herself.
In April, the Federal Housing Finance Agency referred James to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution over allegations that she provided false information on her mortgage application for a Brooklyn property. Investigators allege that James may have falsely claimed the property as her primary residence, misstated the number of units, and omitted personal relationships—all to secure more favorable loan terms.
James’s legal team has dismissed the charges as clerical errors, but the FBI launched a formal criminal investigation in May. Additionally, the Republican-aligned watchdog group America First Legal filed ethics complaints accusing James of professional misconduct. Her attorney countered, calling the allegations “baseless” and politically motivated—retaliation for her prosecutions of both Trump and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Her probable Republican challenger, attorney Michael Henry, nearly caused an upset in 2022, capturing 45% of the vote in what was widely seen as a safe race. With James now weakened by scandal and GOP enthusiasm on the rise, Henry is gearing up for a rematch.
Henry has already secured backing from more than 6,000 donors, with over 1,200 qualifying for New York’s public matching funds program. The recently introduced 6-to-1 matching system has enabled him to saturate the state with messaging centered on restoring fairness and eliminating partisan influence from the attorney general’s office.
At the same time, New York’s political landscape is evolving. President Donald Trump made notable gains in the 2024 election, increasing support in historically Democratic strongholds such as Brooklyn and Queens—areas that were instrumental in building James’s political career.
