ALBANY, N.Y. — State Attorney General Tish James has abruptly ended her gubernatorial candidacy, saying she'll run for another term as attorney general in 2022.
“I have come to the conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general," she said in a statement on Thursday. "There are a number of important investigations and cases that are underway, and I intend to finish the job.
I am running for re-election to complete the work New Yorkers elected me to do."James has regularly trailed Gov. Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat, in early polls. While she's spent much of the past year seen as a frontrunner for the job, she never launched a serious campaign after entering the race in October.
Hochul is seeking a term in her own right next year after succeeding Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in August.
Two other Democrats, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi of Long Island, are in the race. Outgoing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to join the race soon.