As part of the upcoming midterm election that is taking place across the country, states and cities will be selecting their attorney general. In New York, the office of the attorney general is an important post that is filled by elected officials every four years. This year, there are three candidates that are running for attorney general in New York, representing the Democratic, Republican, and Working Families parties, respectively. In this article, we will outline who is running for attorney general in New York and discuss their stances on various topics.
Overview of Candidates
The three candidates running for the office of the attorney general in New York City are Letitia James, Keith Wofford, and Michael Sussman.
Letitia James (D)
Letitia James is the current attorney general and is running to keep the post. She has been in office since 2018 and is running on the Democratic Party ticket. James has a long record of public service. Before being elected as attorney general, she had a career as an attorney and public servant, including working as the New York City Public Advocate.
Keith Wofford (R)
Keith Wofford is running for attorney general in New York on the Republican Party ticket. He has served as a board member for several organizations, including the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, the Legal Aid Society of New York, and the Center for Education Reform, and is currently a partner at the law firm Ropes and Gray in New York City.
Michael Sussman (W)
Michael Sussman is running for attorney general in New York on the Working Families Party ticket. He is a civil rights attorney from Newburgh, New York, who has made numerous appearances in court on behalf of civil rights causes since the early 1970s. He has also authored several books on civil rights, including the book “Civil Liberties: The Constitutional Issues.”
Policy Positions
Now that we’ve looked at the candidates running for attorney general in New York, let’s examine their policy positions on some key issues.
Immigration
Letitia James has been a strong supporter of immigration reform and has worked to uphold the rights of immigrants in New York. She has spoken out against immigration policies that target undocumented immigrants and is committed to ensuring that all immigrants in the state are treated fairly and humanely.
Keith Wofford has said that immigration reform is an important issue, but believes that immigration policies must be made with an eye to national security. He is in favor of immigration reform, but believes that it should be handled in a thoughtful and secure manner.
Michael Sussman is a strong advocate for immigrants’ rights and has spoken out against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. He supports immigration reform that will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for legal status and is in favor of providing a pathway to citizenship for those already in the country.
Discrimination
Letitia James has been a vocal supporter of anti-discrimination policies, including advocating for the passage of the Dignity for All Students Act and supporting a wide range of affirmative action initiatives. She has also taken a harsh stance on hate speech, saying that hate crimes will not be tolerated in New York.
Keith Wofford has said that he is against discrimination on the basis of race, religion, or any other factor. He believes that all people should be given an equal opportunity for jobs, housing, and other benefits.
Michael Sussman has long been a champion of civil rights and has been an outspoken advocate for protecting minorities from discrimination. He has argued in court for LGBTQ rights and racial justice and has said that he will continue to fight against discrimination in New York as attorney general.
Women’s Issues
Letitia James has taken a strong pro-women stance, supporting equal pay and reproductive rights. She has worked to close the gender pay gap and to ensure that women are represented in leadership positions.
Keith Wofford has not taken specific stances on women’s issues, but has said that he supports equal rights for both men and women and that he supports policies that help to close the gender pay gap.
Michael Sussman has been a strong advocate for women’s rights and has said that he will continue to fight for reproductive rights and for equal pay for women if he is elected attorney general.
Criminal Justice
Letitia James has long been an advocate for criminal justice reform and is committed to working to ensure that a fair judicial system is in place. She has vowed to fight mass incarceration and has called for increased funding for crime victims and their families.
Keith Wofford has also said that he supports criminal justice reform and believes that there needs to be an overhaul of the current system. He has said that he believes that prisons should be used for rehabilitation rather than punishment and that he will work to ensure that all New Yorkers are given equal access to justice and fair trials.
Michael Sussman has been an outspoken critic of the current criminal justice system. He has argued that the system is broken and biased against certain races and social classes and has called for increased oversight and an end to mandatory minimum sentencing.
The three candidates running for attorney general in New York this year have all taken stances on various issues related to immigration, discrimination, women’s issues, and criminal justice. Letitia James, the current attorney general, is running on the Democratic Party ticket and is a vocal supporter of immigration reform and anti-discrimination policies. Keith Wofford is running on the Republican Party ticket and favors immigration reform but with an eye to national security. Michael Sussman is running on the Working Families Party ticket and is an advocate for civil rights and an outspoken critic of the current criminal justice system. The candidates’ positions on these issues will likely be an important factor in determining who is elected as New York’s next attorney general.
