Republican candidate for state attorney general Saritha Komatireddy came to Thursday night’s NY1 debate prepared to take down the incumbent, Democrat Letitia James.
“New Yorkers, you do not have an attorney general right now,” she said. “For the last eight years, you’ve had a political hack sitting in the chair using our taxpayer money for her political purposes.”
James came prepared to punch back.
“It’s important that individuals understand that my opponent knows nothing about the office of the attorney general,” she said.
James is in the national spotlight, having been appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul last week as special prosecutor in charge of the Cornell University rape investigation. That’s brought scrutiny to her earlier comments expressing solidarity with the alleged victim.
“Those comments demonstrate empathy, and what we need now more than ever in our body politics is more empathy,” James said.
Hochul is “requesting an unbiased investigation and a thorough investigation. And we will do that, based on the facts and based on the evidence,” she added.
Komatireddy used the opportunity to take a jab.
“She’s never prosecuted a criminal case in her whole career,” Komatireddy said. “She’s certainly never prosecuted a sexual assault case. And she’s already screwed this one up by prejudging it.”
Komatireddy, a longtime federal prosecutor making her first run for office, says she’ll prioritize mental illness and Medicaid fraud, and argued that James has made New York less safe.
James, meanwhile, repeatedly turned the conversation to President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Komatireddy.
“You, unfortunately, have not said anything critical of this administration,” James said. “And you won’t, because you are basically auditioning for another position. We all know that.”
“I will protect New Yorkers,” Komatireddy said, “whether it’s against President Trump or President AOC.”
If anything, Komatireddy tried to avoid using Trump’s name, even mentioning more than once she worked under President Barack Obama.
“I’ve met President Trump once, for about 30 seconds. I said hello,” she said.
“And then he tweeted out that he was endorsing you,” James said, “because he recognizes that you won’t stand up and you’ll refuse to be a fighter.”
The candidates did set aside any grudges, at least long enough to exchange a handshake.
It was their first and only meeting on a debate stage before voters go to the polls Nov. 3.
To watch the full debate, click here.