Fighting for Equal Representation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Collective PAC — the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation, and power across all levels of government — endorsed New York’s Attorney General Letitia James for Governor.
In 2018, Letitia (Tish) James was elected the 67th Attorney General for the state of New York, becoming the first woman to serve in the role and the first Black woman to hold statewide office in New York. In her current position, Attorney General James has exemplified steadfast courage and resolve to work on behalf of the best interests of all New Yorkers; demonstrated by her tenacity to investigate wrongdoings by powerful interests like the Trump Organization, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the pharmaceutical industry. If elected, Attorney General James will work diligently to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to a health care system that puts people over profits, a quality education for all students, affordable housing and economic opportunities for even the most marginalized communities throughout the state.
Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:
“The Collective PAC is excited to endorse Attorney General Letitia James in her historic bid to become the first Black woman governor of New York. From working as a public defender for the Legal Aid Society to serving as head of the Brooklyn Regional Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Office, to leading as the Public Advocate for New York City, Attorney General James has a proven track record of addressing challenging issues to improve and protect the lives of New Yorkers. As governor, we know she will fight tirelessly and fearlessly for systematic change that supports, uplifts and progresses the lives of all New Yorkers forward. As one of our formerly endorsed candidates when she ran and won her current elected office, The Collective PAC is proud to once again help Attorney General Letitia James make history and generational progress in New York.”
In response to The Collective PAC’s endorsement, Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement:
“I am running for governor because New York needs a changemaker to stand up to powerful interests and I am honored to have the backing of The Collective PAC. For too long, the Black community has been underrepresented in elected office and every day The Collective PAC is working to change that. I will fight alongside The Collective PAC in this historic campaign as we fight to create affordable housing, create good jobs and take on the status quo that just isn’t cutting it for New Yorkers. Together, we will make a more inclusive and better New York.”
Letitia James was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and has spent her career working as a dedicated public servant. In 2003, Attorney General James was elected to the New York City Council representing various Brooklyn neighborhoods. During her 10 years as a member of the city council, she uncovered corruption behind the Office of Payroll Administration’s CityTime contract — a scheme that cost New York City over $600 million dollars — and passed the Safe Housing Act legislation that forced landlords to improve resident living conditions. In 2013, Attorney General James became the first Black woman to hold citywide office when she was elected Public Advocate for the city of New York, serving as an advocate for the city’s most vulnerable communities and a watchdog over New York City government agencies.
ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC
The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state, and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward.