New York Attorney General Letitia James, a top rival of President Donald Trump, is losing ground to her Republican challenger even though most New Yorkers still know little about who she is running against.James’ lead over GOP challenger Saritha Komatireddy fell by five points between August and September, according to a newly released poll from Siena University.Though the Democrat’s lead is slipping, it’s still commanding, with James leading Komatireddy by a margin of 52% to 39%.Republicans nationally are facing difficult polling in several key races, including competitive contests in traditionally Republican-leaning states such as Alaska, Texas and Ohio.
Against that backdrop, New York Republicans holding roughly steady or improving modestly in Siena’s polling represents a relative bright spot.LETITIA JAMES HAMMERED AFTER NY MEDICAID FRAUD UNIT FUNDING FROZEN OVER INEFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENTAttorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference in New York City on Nov.6, 2024.
(Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)The New York governor’s race is within single digits, with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the GOP nominee, trailing incumbent Democratic Gov.Kathy Hochul 50% to 41%, according to Siena’s latest poll.
The nine-point margin is little changed from August, when Hochul led 49% to 39%.The margin of error in Siena’s September poll is about four percentage points, meaning the five-point narrowing in James’ lead should be interpreted cautiously rather than as definitive evidence of a shift in the race.LEE CARTER: THE SUMMER POLLS MISSED THE POINT: VOTERS ARE MOVING — AND THE MIDTERMS BEGINGOP candidate Saritha Komatireddy blasted AG James for failing to adequately investigate and prosecute Medicaid fraud.(Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images; Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)Komatireddy is a former federal prosecutor and Harvard Law graduate who clerked for then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh ...