Michael Henry, the Republican candidate for New York’s attorney general, has been aggressively criticizing Democratic incumbent Letitia James, accusing her of undermining the state’s economy through what he calls an overreach of regulatory power and a ‘far-left agenda.’ Henry’s campaign highlights economic affordability, energy costs, and the impact of James’ policies on everyday New Yorkers. His arguments are rooted in concerns that New York residents are ‘fed up’ with the rising cost of living and the lack of tangible economic progress under James’ leadership.
Henry attributes much of the state’s economic struggles to James’ office, which he claims has stifled business growth and hampered energy development. He points to the state’s energy crisis as a key example, suggesting that vast reserves of energy in the southern tier of New York could be developed to reduce costs for residents. However, he claims James has blocked such initiatives, favoring policies that align with what he describes as a radical environmental agenda. He argues that the state’s energy companies are being redirected to Pennsylvania, where the state’s energy policies are more favorable, further harming New York’s economic prospects.
The candidate also highlights the fallout from James’ handling of the 3,000 correctional officer layoffs, which he says has left hundreds of families without a crucial source of income. He claims that the state’s decision to block these laid-off correctional officers from transitioning into other civil servant roles has exacerbated financial hardships for many residents. Henry’s campaign has also targeted James for her alleged negligence in addressing the state’s drug crisis, which has worsened across 62 counties. He argues that her policies have failed to address these systemic challenges, further undermining public trust in her leadership.
Henry’s critique of James has been particularly pointed on the legal and ethical front. He has accused her of lacking basic integrity, citing discrepancies in her mortgage applications where she signed documents stating she is married to her father, which she has described as political. Henry insists that these inconsistencies are not merely administrative errors but indicate a pattern of dishonesty. He believes that the public will demand accountability, as seen in recent legal actions against James, which she has dismissed as a political move.
Despite his past attempt to unseat James in 2020, Henry claims that the current situation has made his campaign more urgent than ever. He asserts that New Yorkers need an ‘outsider’ candidate who is willing to challenge James without fear, arguing that she has failed to serve the interests of the people she is supposed to represent. Henry’s campaign is framed as a fight to restore trust in the state’s legal system and to ensure that New York’s resources are used to benefit residents rather than political factions.