New York AG race: Komatireddy trails Letitia James by 13 points as early voting nears
Synopsis
Indian-American Republican Saritha Komatireddy has trimmed Letitia James's lead to 13 points — the closest the race has been — but with over two-thirds of likely voters not knowing who she is, a $6 million fundraising deficit, and no Republican winning statewide in New York since 2002, the clock is nearly out.
Key Takeaways
A Siena College poll (conducted 11–17 September ) shows Letitia James leading Saritha Komatireddy 52–39% , narrowing from 54–36% in August.
More than two-thirds of likely voters have either never heard of Komatireddy or lack enough information to form an opinion.
James holds roughly $6.2 million in cash versus just $323,000 for Komatireddy.
Super PAC Strong and Safe New York , backed by James Dolan and Steve Wynn , has pledged a 'seven-figure investment' for Komatireddy.
New York has 6 million active registered Democrats against 2.8 million Republicans; no Republican has won statewide since 2002 .
Early voting opens 24 October ; Election Day is 3 November .
Indian-American Republican Saritha Komatireddy has narrowed New York Attorney General Letitia James's lead to 13 percentage points in the latest public poll, but remains severely outgunned on both fundraising and name recognition as early voting is set to open on 24 October ahead of the 3 November election.
Where the Race Stands
A Siena College poll of likely voters conducted between 11 and 17 September placed James at 52% and Komatireddy at 39% — a modest improvement from an earlier August survey that showed James ahead 54-36. No newer public poll of the race has been reported. In New York City, James's advantage narrowed from 71-20 to 62-26, suggesting Komatireddy has made incremental inroads in the city, though the gap remains formidable.
Komatireddy's favourability rating stood at a slim 17-12, and more than two-thirds of likely voters had either never heard of her or said they did not know enough to form an opinion. Siena pollster Steven Greenberg assessed the situation plainly: 'Unless Komatireddy can find a way to get more known to likely voters in the next few weeks, it appears that James is in a strong position heading into the home stretch of the campaign.'
A Stark Fundraising Gap
The financial disparity is equally stark. According to state filings reported in early October 2026, James held approximately $6.2 million in cash — including roughly $3.5 million in public matching funds — compared to just $323,000 for Komatireddy. Komatireddy's own filings through 11 July list Geetha Komatireddy as her largest individual contributor at $397,412, followed by the New York Republican State Committee at $50,000. Vivek Ramaswamy is among donors who gave $18,000 each.
A super PAC, Strong and Safe New York — funded by New York Knicks owner James Dolan, retired casino mogul Steve Wynn, and others — has announced what it described as a 'seven-figure investment' on Komatireddy's behalf, including suburban billboard advertising. The group's spokesperson Carson Steelman said, 'New York finally has a chance to restore safety and security by electing Saritha Komatireddy as the next Attorney General.' State filings through 11 July, however, showed no spending from the group at the time of filing.
A Combative Debate and the Trump Connection
In their only debate, broadcast on Spectrum News NY1 on 8 October, Komatireddy went on the offensive against James. 'For the last eight years, you've had a political hack sitting in the chair using our taxpayer money for her political purposes,' she charged. Komatireddy has since called for additional debates, but none has been scheduled.
James's campaign has sought to tie her challenger to the former president. 'Saritha Komatireddy is Donald Trump's handpicked candidate, and now his deep-pocketed allies are bankrolling her campaign,' a James campaign spokesperson said. The framing reflects a broader Democratic strategy of making the race a referendum on Trump-aligned politics in a state where Democrats hold an overwhelming registration advantage.
Komatireddy's Background and the Uphill Structural Climb
Komatireddy brings notable legal credentials to the race. A former federal prosecutor and former chief of staff at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), she previously clerked for then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Despite the endorsement from former President Donald Trump, the structural mathematics of New York politics work sharply against her: the state has approximately 6 million active registered Democrats against 2.8 million Republicans. No Republican has won a statewide race in New York since 2002. Early voting runs from 24 October to 1 November, with Election Day on 3 November, according to the state Board of Elections.
Point of View
Not a trend — one poll, weeks old, in a state where Republicans have been shut out of statewide wins for over two decades. Komatireddy's near-total anonymity among likely voters is a structural problem that billboard money alone cannot solve in under two weeks. The more revealing signal is the super PAC's entry: it suggests the Republican establishment sees enough residual anti-James sentiment — rooted in her own legal controversies — to make a late-stage investment worthwhile. Whether that bet pays off depends on whether Komatireddy can convert name recognition into trust fast enough, a feat no New York Republican has managed statewide in a generation.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the latest poll show in the New York Attorney General race?
A Siena College poll conducted between 11 and 17 September shows incumbent Attorney General Letitia James leading Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy by 13 points, 52% to 39%. This is an improvement from a prior August poll that showed James ahead 54-36%.
Who is Saritha Komatireddy?
Saritha Komatireddy is an Indian-American Republican candidate running for New York Attorney General. She is a former federal prosecutor and former chief of staff at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and previously clerked for then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh. She carries an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
When is early voting and Election Day in New York?
Early voting in New York runs from 24 October to 1 November 2026, with Election Day on 3 November, according to the state Board of Elections.
How large is the fundraising gap between the two candidates?
As of state filings reported in early October 2026, Letitia James held approximately $6.2 million in cash — including $3.5 million in public matching funds — compared to roughly $323,000 for Komatireddy. A super PAC, Strong and Safe New York, has pledged a seven-figure spend on Komatireddy's behalf.
What are Komatireddy's chances given New York's voter registration numbers?
The odds remain steep. New York has approximately 6 million active registered Democrats versus 2.8 million Republicans, and no Republican has won a statewide race in New York since 2002. Komatireddy also faces a significant name recognition deficit, with more than two-thirds of likely voters unfamiliar with her.
