By Susan Arbetter
September 30, 2026
Spectrum Local News

Two weeks ago, Capital Tonight spoke with Republican candidate for New York state attorney general Saritha Komatireddy about her priorities, including her proposal to ensure people with severe mental illness are removed from the streets and into housing.  

Wednesday night, the Democratic incumbent Attorney General Letitia James joined Capital Tonight to discuss her campaign.

In response to Komatireddy’s proposal to create an Office of Civil Commitment within the Office of the Attorney General, James said that her challenger’s proposal would move the state backwards.

“She wants to create another bureaucracy,” James said. “She wants to go backwards to the time when individuals who are struggling with mental illness were out of mind, out of sight and locked away. That is not the answer.”

Komatireddy was also critical of the time that she says James spends on national issues, saying she neglects crime, something that the incumbent pushed back on.

“It’s unfortunate, but my opponent doesn’t understand the responsibilities and the role of the New York state attorney general,” James said. “Again, our office primarily focuses on civil investigations and not criminal investigations.”

The AG’s office requires a referral from the governor to prosecute a criminal case.

In response to James’ comments, Komatireddy’s spokeswoman Nicole Kiprilov sent the following statement to Capital Tonight:

“The Attorney General has broad authority to fight crime — that’s why the office has an Organized Crime Task Force, a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and prosecutors with statewide jurisdiction. The difference is that Saritha Komatireddy will use those powers to keep New Yorkers safe,” Kiprilov said.  “And getting severely mentally ill New Yorkers off the streets and into treatment isn’t ‘going backwards.’ Leaving them to freeze to death on sidewalks is a total moral failure. New Yorkers deserve an Attorney General willing to confront both issues.”

James also commented on the alleged Cornell gang rape case that has been reopened by the Tompkins County district attorney and is presenting the case to the grand jury.

“There has been a lot of comments with respect to his handling of the case, and we look forward to the outcome to ensure that justice is served and there is accountability for the survivor,” she said.

James also commented on a challenge filed with the Supreme Court to New York’s Shield Law, and her office’s decision to work with the Legislature to protect New Yorkers from rogue artificial intelligence.

James and Komatireddy will debate on Spectrum News 1 on Thurs., Oct. 8.

Read the full article here.