James and Komatireddy clash over antisemitism in New York attorney general race

Antisemitism has become a point of contention in New York’s attorney general race, with Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy accusing Democratic incumbent Letitia James of failing to respond adequately to crimes against Jews. Ahead of Tuesday’s election, prominent Jewish leaders and elected officials have defended James, while some Jewish figures have welcomed her opponent’s promises of stronger action.

Komatireddy, who spent more than a decade as a federal prosecutor in New York, argues that rising reports of antisemitic hate crimes demand greater intervention by the state’s chief legal officer. District attorneys generally prosecute hate crimes, but she told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that their efforts have not stopped the increase. James, who has held office since 2019, oversees more than 700 lawyers conducting criminal and civil investigations statewide.

The challenger has promised to declare a “state of emergency on antisemitism” upon taking office. James told JTA that only the governor has that authority. Asked to explain her proposal, Komatireddy said she intended to invoke a law allowing the attorney general to prosecute hate crimes when a district attorney has been ineffective. She also proposes using existing civil rights law to establish buffer zones outside Jewish schools and synagogues.

James’ campaign rejected the criticism, saying she has consistently supported Jewish New Yorkers and pursued those who targeted them. Mark Treyger, chief executive of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, cited her response to anti-Israel backlash against Tsion Cafe in Harlem. He said James changed her statewide schedule to support its Ethiopian-Israeli owner and personally followed up after offering help.

At a press conference last week, outgoing US Representative Jerry Nadler, City Council Speaker Julie Menin and six other Jewish Democratic officials endorsed James. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal highlighted her efforts against housing discrimination affecting Hasidic families in Orange County and a Rockland County car wash that overcharged Orthodox Jews. Crown Heights United PAC also endorsed her last month. James previously represented parts of the heavily Orthodox Crown Heights neighborhood on the City Council.

Komatireddy has President Donald Trump’s endorsement and is seeking to become New York’s first Republican elected attorney general in more than 30 years. Moshe Davis, who led the mayor’s office to combat antisemitism under Eric Adams, predicted that her message could draw Jewish voters away from James. Still, he described James as a longstanding friend of Jewish New Yorkers and said he would not necessarily characterize her record as ignoring antisemitism.

A Siena poll conducted last month put James ahead by 54% to 39%, with a six-point advantage in the New York City suburbs. Rabbi Elie Weinstock of Long Island’s Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach told JTA that unease about antisemitic incidents was shaping voters’ concerns. He also suggested that opposition to Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani could steer some Jewish voters toward Komatireddy.

Some campaign appearances have required clarification. After Komatireddy posted an October video showing Park Avenue Synagogue Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove offering blessings for her campaign, he told JTA that the visit occurred in winter or spring and was not an endorsement. Separately, Komatireddy said she deleted a post featuring members of a Black Hebrew Israelite church after learning who they were, rejecting the group’s hateful views.

Binyamin Krauss, principal of the Bronx Jewish school SAR Academy, also disputed Komatireddy’s characterization of James. He cited her support after two men were stabbed on Manhattan’s Upper West Side over the summer. Krauss, who hosted James at the school last week, said disagreements over prosecution decisions did not justify that description and emphasized that he was not endorsing a candidate.