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Letitia James, the New York attorney general who oversaw the inquiry into sexual harassment claims against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo that ultimately led to his resignation, declared her candidacy for governor on Friday, setting up a history-making, high-profile matchup in the Democratic primary. She begins the campaign as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s most formidable challenger, and her announcement triggers a start to what may be an extraordinarily competitive primary — a contest set to be shaped by issues of ideology, race and region in a state still battling its way out of the coronavirus pandemic. “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 wrote on Twitter as she released her announcement video on Friday, two days after The New York Times and others reported that she and her team had begun informing key political players of her intentions. Her announcement also comes at a volatile moment in state politics, a day after Cuomo was charged in a sexual misconduct complaint based on the account of one of the women whose claims of sexual harassment were detailed in the attorney general’s report. James, a veteran Brooklyn politician and the first woman of color to be elected to statewide office in New York, is seeking to become the first Black female governor in the country; Hochul, who is white, is the state’s first female chief executive and the first governor in more than a century to have deep roots in western New York. Tap the link in our bio to read more. Photo by @dave_sanders

October 30, 2021