{"id":2568058,"date":"2026-02-09T18:00:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T23:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mike-lawler-backs-conservative-challenger-to-letitia-james\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T18:01:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T23:01:53","slug":"mike-lawler-backs-conservative-challenger-to-letitia-james","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mike-lawler-backs-conservative-challenger-to-letitia-james\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Lawler backs conservative challenger to Letitia James"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmike-lawler-backs-conservative-challenger-to-letitia-james%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2568058&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Washington Examiner reports that Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) endorsed conservative challenger Saritha Komatireddy in the 2026 New york attorney general race, criticizing incumbent Letitia James as corrupt and partisan and arguing the office should be about enforcing the law. Komatireddy, a former prosecutor who led investigations into drug cartels and terrorist networks and who formerly served as the DEA\u2019s chief of staff, is one of two republicans in the GOP primary, with Khurram Dara as her opponent after Michael Henry dropped out. Lawler\u2019s endorsement casts the race as a referendum on public safety and the rule of law, citing James\u2019s alleged abuses of office and a Department of Justice mortgage-fraud probe that two <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >grand juries reportedly declined<\/a> to indict. The piece highlights Komatireddy\u2019s background and campaign focus, including the slogan \u201cIf New York isn\u2019t safe, nothing else matters,\u201d and notes endorsements from Maggie\u2019s List and former NY Attorney General Dennis Vacco. The primary is set for June 23.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Mike Lawler backs conservative challenger to Letitia James in New York attorney general race<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2500189\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) weighed in on the 2026 New York <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/attorney-general\/\">attorney general<\/a> election in favor of Saritha Komatireddy, issuing a scathing rebuke of incumbent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/letitia-james\/\">Letitia James<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The centrist Republican congressman backed former prosecutor Komatireddy, who is one of two Republicans running to unseat James. Michael Henry, who ran against James in 2022, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/01\/29\/us-news\/gop-challenger-to-letitia-james-drops-ny-attorney-general-bid\/\">backed out<\/a> of the race in January, leaving Komatireddy to take on attorney Khurram Dara in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican-primary\/\">GOP primary<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4451247\/bruce-blakeman-running-mate-pick-rejects-offer-24-7-campaign-commitment\/\">Bruce Blakeman&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bruce-blakemans-running-mate-pick-rejects-offer-due-to-24-7-commitment\/\" title=\"Bruce Blakeman&#039;s running mate pick rejects offer due to 24\/7 commitment\">running mate pick rejects offer due<\/a> to 24\/7 campaign commitment<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4451191\/minnesota-gop-gubernatorial-primary-narrows-scott-jensen-drops\/\">Minnesota GOP gubernatorial primary narrows further after Jensen drops bid<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4450793\/senate-republicans-secret-weapon-midterm-headwinds\/\">Senate Republicans find their secret weapon as they try to navigate midterm &#8216;headwinds&#8217; with Palm Beach getaway<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;New York deserves an Attorney General who enforces the law&mdash;not one who abuses it. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TishJames\">@TishJames<\/a> has turned the Attorney General&rsquo;s office into a partisan weapon and is the most corrupt AG in America. Saritha Komatireddy will restore the trust we need in our judicial system,&rdquo; Lawler said in his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/lawler4ny\/status\/2020950033965752530?s=20\">endorsement<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>James has become a high-profile adversary of the Trump administration and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\">New York<\/a> Republicans, as they have accused her of abuse of office. James&rsquo;s reputation is the result of her multiple filings against President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> throughout her tenure as the state&rsquo;s top prosecutor. After the Department of Justice opened a mortgage fraud investigation into James, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3915502\/second-grand-jury-refuses-indict-letitia-james\/\">two grand juries<\/a> refused to indict her.<\/p>\n<p>Komatireddy, a former Eastern District of New York prosecutor who also served as the chief of staff at the Drug Enforcement Administration, has prosecuted members of drug cartels, al Qaeda, and ISIS. She is running a campaign focused on public safety with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sarithafornewyork.com\/#about\">slogan<\/a> &ldquo;If New York isn&rsquo;t safe, nothing else matters. Saritha will focus on safety so you can focus on everything else.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;She&rsquo;s a principled, tough, and fearless advocate for the rule of law who will restore integrity, accountability, and equal justice to the office. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/sarithaforny\">@sarithaforny<\/a> will end the corruption in Albany, and put New Yorkers first &mdash;and I&rsquo;m proud to endorse her campaign,&rdquo; Lawler said.<\/p>\n<p>In the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-wins-ann-selzer-loses-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump wins, Ann Selzer loses - Washington Examiner\">2022 attorney general race<\/a>, James defeated Henry, a New York City commercial litigation attorney, by just over 9 percentage points, a swing further to the right from 2018. In her first run in 2018, James defeated Republican challenger Keith Wofford by just over 27 percentage points in the general election.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4445285\/new-jersey-and-new-york-sue-trump-administration-over-frozen-gateway-tunnel-funding\/\">NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK SUE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER FROZEN GATEWAY TUNNEL FUNDING<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The primary for this election will be held on June 23.<\/p>\n<p>Komatireddy&rsquo;s other endorsements include Maggie&rsquo;s List and former Republican New York Attorney General Dennis C. Vacco. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lawler endorses Komatireddy over James in NY AG race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2568059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25204101235240_3af96b.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[32506,54621,39987],"class_list":["post-2568058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-letitia-james","tag-mike-lawler","tag-new-york-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25204101235240_3af96b.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2568058"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568058\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2568062,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568058\/revisions\/2568062"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2568059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2568058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2568058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2568058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}