The New York State Attorney General is hiring more high powered political campaign staff…..
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is also a Democrat, and both have Andrew Cuomo in their resume….
The current Governor succeeds him after the Attorney General and others pushed Cuomo to quit dues to his women troubles….
Hochul now leads in the new polling, with a group of other Democrats mentioned to possibly run for Governor …
But James?
She has bee seriously raising money and her profile among New Yorkers (and a bit nationally)….
Hochul is the first NY woman Governor…
James the first woman Attorney General….
My guess is if James decides to run?
Hochul, who is from upstate New York will lose Mose of her support in New York City….
And THAT would tip the balance in the Attorney General’s favor…
(She could just run to stay as Attorney General)
We’ll see if this ole’ smells this out come next year….
Ms. James is currently running for re-election as attorney general, but her campaign staff is expected to quickly transition to a run for governor if she ultimately challenges Gov. Kathy Hochul in what would be an expensive and historic Democratic primary contest.
Ms. Peeler-Allen confirmed the hires.
Ms. Hochul, the state’s first female governor, has moved aggressively to fund-raise and to secure endorsements around the state, including from people or political groups whose backing Ms. James and other potential candidates would also seem to covet: the president of the N.A.A.C.P. New York State Conference, for example, and Emily’s List, the fund-raising powerhouse focused on electing women who support abortion rights.
Some donors and elected officials have become increasingly anxious to know whether Ms. James will proceed with a bid for governor.
“People who like her, want her and are part of the entourage, if you will, would be there for her,” said Alan Rubin, a lobbyist in New York City who intends to back Ms. James if she runs and who believes she would be a strong fund-raiser. “I also think it’s getting to the point — I think it’s pretty obvious it’s getting to the point — where decisions need to be made.”….
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Ms. James’s allies believe that while she has not historically been known as a strong fund-raiser, if she does run for governor, she could attract significant national interest, given her potential to be the first Black female governor in America. Her hires also reflect an intense focus on fund-raising….
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Two recent polls have shown Ms. Hochul with a sizable lead, though it is difficult to gauge the race at this early stage and without a defined field….
image…NBC News