The Republican candidate challenging New York Attorney General Letitia James has accused the Democrat of misusing her authority and engaging in “politics with the law” during an exclusive interview.
Saritha Komatireddy, a former prosecutor and national security expert who has previously worked with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, received the endorsement of the New York Republican State Committee last week.
She recognized the far-left’s recent victories in New York’s mayoral race and stressed that it’s crucial for Americans everywhere to take this election seriously.
“New York is, well, it’s kind of an American city. A lot of people, including my parents, came to this country through New York,” said the mother of four during an interview on Tuesday.
Komatireddy believes the well-being and future of New York City and its surrounding areas are crucial issues, asserting that her contest against James is fundamentally about upholding the rule of law.
“It’s essential to have an attorney general focused on ensuring public safety, not one who is busy playing politics and supporting extreme policies that don’t contribute to safety,” she stated.
James, who has held the attorney general position since 2019, has faced scrutiny for politicizing her office, particularly regarding President Donald Trump. Recently, she encountered legal issues related to charges of mortgage fraud.
As reported, on October 9, James faced an indictment linked to a mortgage she obtained on a Virginia property, where allegations suggested she misrepresented the use of the residence to secure lower rates.
The case was eventually dismissed, and although the Department of Justice initially planned to pursue an appeal, they later opted to seek new charges against her.
Komatireddy claims that under James’ leadership, crime in the state has escalated significantly, asserting that her focus has been misdirected toward personal and political adversaries.
“While I was busy dealing with serious federal crimes, I witnessed firsthand the decline in safety across New York during James’ time in office,” she said, referencing her background as a federal prosecutor and other roles, including her experience as President Trump’s nominee for attorney general.
“Crime rates in New York State have increased by 26%. More than a million residents have left this year alone. That paints a picture of failure,” she emphasized.
She argued that what New Yorkers really require is an attorney general committed to effectively prosecuting crimes and assisting the homeless and struggling individuals in a “compassionate, humane manner.”
There’s also a strong need, according to her, for prosecutors to address persistent corruption in state government that has emerged under prolonged single-party control.
When asked if she felt like the “underdog” against a prominent incumbent, Komatireddy replied, “Not at all. She’s notorious for all the wrong reasons.”
“She’s not competent in her role,” she claimed. “She has misused her power, and people are fed up with this. They want effective governance in New York.”
She further asserted that it is “obvious” James has targeted political opponents instead of focusing on her job duties.
“James cares more about far-left press releases than about tangible actions that would benefit New Yorkers. She avoids discussing crime or public safety, instead leaning into an ideological agenda that makes the state more dangerous and costly,” Komatireddy noted.
The candidate also commented on the prosecution of Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran charged with manslaughter following an incident on a subway train involving Jordan Neely.
This, she argues, exemplifies what’s wrong in the state.
“Our state just isn’t safe. When the government doesn’t take steps to ensure safety — by addressing crime and facilitating support for the homeless — they end up blaming those attempting to help instead.”
After being indicted, Penny initially faced a lengthy prison sentence, though this changed over time.
“This underlines the failures of both Alvin Bragg and Letitia James, which we aim to rectify. A properly functioning government allows people to travel, commute, and live without the fear of crime,” she mentioned.
The Republican Attorneys Association (RAGA), which endorsed Komatireddy in November, also shared their thoughts with the outlet.
“Saritha is exceptional,” stated RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper. “She embodies the type of candidate committees aspire to support. She has chosen to invest her skills and resources into this vital race.”
Piper characterized the current AG as emblematic of a troubling trend aimed at exacerbating issues like rising crimes and cash bail policies.
He acknowledged that Republican candidates face significant challenges in overcoming incumbent progressives, especially following the election of far-left Mayor Zoran Mamdani in New York City. “We’ve witnessed underdogs succeed before, and it’s thrilling to see it unfold in this competitive arena.”
