In a move signaling growing Republican unity across New York City, the five GOP county chairs representing the city’s boroughs have thrown their collective support behind Michael Henry, who is once again challenging Attorney General Letitia James—now under federal indictment for bank fraud—in the 2026 state attorney general race.
The endorsement gives Henry, a commercial litigator and former 2022 Republican nominee for attorney general, a unified citywide base as he looks to capitalize on James’ legal troubles and a national political climate charged with debates over justice, accountability, and partisanship.
A Unified GOP Front Across the Five Boroughs
According to officials familiar with the endorsement, Republican leaders from Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island all signed onto a statement supporting Henry’s candidacy. The announcement marks a rare moment of alignment among the city’s fragmented GOP organizations and underscores the party’s determination to unseat James, who was indicted last week by a federal grand jury in Virginia.
Brooklyn GOP Chair Liam McCabe praised Henry’s work ethic and grassroots approach, saying, “He understands what New Yorkers are facing and will not bow to political pressure or partisan witch hunts.”
McCabe highlighted Henry’s strong showing in 2022, when he earned 45% of the statewide vote—the best result for a Republican attorney general candidate in New York in decades. “He’s traveled to all 62 counties meeting voters face-to-face,” McCabe added. “People see in him a genuine leader who listens.”
The sentiment was echoed by Staten Island GOP Chair Michael Tannousis, who called Henry “an attorney and a leader who represents the kind of common-sense, law-and-order approach this city and state need.”
Tannousis contrasted Henry’s vision with James’ recent controversies, adding, “Letitia James has failed New Yorkers. Michael Henry will not.”
Capitalizing on a Political Scandal
Henry’s renewed candidacy comes at a pivotal moment for New York’s political landscape. Attorney General Letitia James, one of the most recognizable Democratic figures in the state and a longtime adversary of former President Donald Trump, was indicted on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution related to a mortgage application for a home she owns in Virginia.
Federal prosecutors allege that James falsely claimed the home would serve as her personal residence to secure better loan terms, potentially saving herself up to $19,000. She has denied the allegations and described the indictment as “baseless” and “politically motivated.”
Still, the optics of the case have reshaped the 2026 attorney general race almost overnight, with Republicans sensing an opportunity to frame the contest around ethics, trust, and what they call the “weaponization of justice.”
Henry seized on that theme in his first statement after the indictment, writing, “New Yorkers deserve an attorney general who will enforce the law fairly, not weaponize it for politics. Together, we are going to restore justice, integrity, and accountability to the state of New York.”
His message—delivered just as James made her first defiant public appearance at a rally for New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani—resonates with conservatives eager to portray James’ legal woes as symbolic of Democratic hypocrisy on rule-of-law issues.
The Making of Michael Henry
A commercial litigator by trade, Henry built his legal career advocating for small businesses and individuals navigating New York’s complex regulatory and legal systems. His 2022 campaign introduced him to voters as a “law-and-order Republican” committed to depoliticizing the attorney general’s office.
While he ultimately lost to James by a margin of roughly 10 points, his performance—especially in suburban and upstate counties—marked a significant improvement for New York Republicans, suggesting that voter frustration with one-party rule could make future races competitive.
Since then, Henry has continued to tour the state, focusing on what he calls “the real issues affecting New Yorkers,” including affordability, public safety, and government accountability. His campaign reported $275,000 in cash on hand as of June and plans to take advantage of New York’s public campaign finance matching system, which amplifies small-dollar donations.
“This campaign is about restoring faith in our institutions,” Henry told supporters recently. “I want to rebuild an Attorney General’s Office that protects New Yorkers—not punishes them based on politics.”
Endorsements Beyond the City
Henry’s growing coalition extends well beyond the five boroughs. He has already secured the endorsement of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), one of the state’s most influential Republicans, who is herself preparing for a gubernatorial run against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2026.
“Elise Stefanik’s support signals that Republicans are taking this race seriously statewide,” said one GOP strategist. “She has a national network and access to donors who can supercharge Henry’s campaign.”
Queens GOP Chair Tony Nunziato and Manhattan GOP Chair Andrea Catsimatidis also signed onto the joint endorsement, underscoring a rare sense of solidarity in a city that has long been a Democratic stronghold.
Bronx Chair Mike Rendino added in a statement, “Letitia James has turned the Attorney General’s Office into a political weapon instead of a force for justice.”
James Stays Defiant Amid Mounting Pressure
Despite the growing Republican offensive, James has shown no signs of backing down. At Monday night’s rally for Mamdani, she stood firm in her refusal to resign or slow her campaign for re-election, declaring, “I will not give up!”
Her office also announced that she would not use the $10 million taxpayer-funded legal defense fund approved by Gov. Hochul and the state legislature earlier this year, choosing instead to rely on private counsel.
James’ allies have characterized the indictment as “a politically motivated attempt to punish an official who has held powerful people accountable,” citing her high-profile civil fraud case against Donald Trump and The Trump Organization, which resulted in a major judgment last year before being partially overturned on appeal.
Still, with the attorney general now facing federal charges, the 2026 race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests in the country—pitting a scandal-embattled incumbent against a disciplined Republican challenger eager to redefine the role of New York’s top law enforcement office.
