James Lead Narrowed in New York AG Race
A new Siena University poll shows incumbent Letitia James leading challenger Saritha Komatireddy by 13 percentage points.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Elections
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Incumbent Attorney General Letitia James holds a 52% to 39% lead over Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy in the latest Siena University poll. James saw her lead decrease by five points since August as the campaign moves toward the November election.
Why it matters
While James maintains a double-digit advantage, the tightening margin highlights the electoral challenge for the incumbent. Simultaneously, two-thirds of likely voters indicate they lack sufficient information to form an opinion on Komatireddy.
The Siena University poll shows Letitia James with 52% support against 39% for Saritha Komatireddy. The survey has a margin of error of approximately four percentage points.
The players
Letitia James
She is the incumbent Attorney General of New York seeking re-election.
Saritha Komatireddy
She is a Harvard Law graduate, former federal prosecutor, and the Republican nominee for New York Attorney General.
Kathy Hochul
She is the Governor of New York currently running for another term.
Bruce Blakeman
He is the Republican challenger currently running against Governor Kathy Hochul.
The details
The survey also examined the New York gubernatorial race, finding Governor Kathy Hochul leads challenger Bruce Blakeman by 50% to 41%. The nine-point margin in the gubernatorial contest contrasts with the Attorney General race, where the incumbent's lead is currently more substantial despite the recent contraction.
Timeline
August 2026: The initial polling margin was established.
September 2026: Siena University released the new poll results.
November 2026: Voters will head to the polls for General Election Day.
Political Context
Opponents argue that the narrowing lead reflects a growing dissatisfaction with incumbent performance across New York state offices. Critics of the current administration highlight the gubernatorial polling gap as a sign of potential vulnerability for Democrats in the upcoming general election.
Voters will decide the state's leadership and legal direction on Election Day in November. The outcome of these races will determine the officials responsible for implementing state regulations and policy priorities for the next term.
The takeaway
With two-thirds of the electorate still unfamiliar with the Republican challenger, the final weeks of the campaign will be critical for defining the candidates. Voters should track late-stage debates and campaign spending to see if the current polling trends hold through November.
Further reading
For more on upcoming races, visit the New York Elections page.
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In your state, do you prefer electing incumbent officials or political newcomers to office?
