AG Letitia James refuses to debate GOP rival Michael Henry before election

Incumbent New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday officially refused to debate her Republican opponent, Michael Henry, before the Nov. 8 election.

NY1 Spectrum News informed Henry’s campaign that Democrat James, who is seeking a second term, declined to participate in a tentative debate to which the local cable news network had invited both candidates, scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 2.

James is the only Democratic incumbent running for statewide office who is refusing to debate her opponent at least once before the election.

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul participated in a single spirited debate with GOP opponent Rep. Lee Zeldin last week. Zeldin had been seeking a series of debates across the state, including some earlier in the cycle.

Democratic Comptroller Tom DiNapoli also debated his GOP opponent, Paul Rodriguez, and Sunday night, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sparred with Republican rival Joe Pinion.

Henry called James out for the duck-and-cover tactic.

“The only threat to democracy is candidates like Letitia James who refuse to debate,” Henry said in a statement.

“Letitia James cannot defend her pro-criminal record, supporting a completely cashless bail system in 2018 and supporting parole reform before New Yorkers. People are smart enough to know that Letitia James created the crime crisis on our streets, now refuses to debate, and doesn’t deserve their vote.”

Added Henry, “Letitia James cannot run from her record even if she runs from a debate. The voters will hold her accountable and they will Dismiss Tish on Nov. 8.”

The Post on Sunday reported that James was stalling and resisting participating in a debate after weeks of negotiations.

James’ campaign confirmed Monday she has refused to debate Henry.

“Letitia James is spending her time doing her day job as attorney general and the campaign is spending its resources talking to voters,” a James campaign spokesperson said.

A recent Siena College poll had James leading Henry — who has little name recognition or money and has been outspent by the Democrat nearly 20-to-1 — by a margin of 51% to 40%, an 11-point lead that shrank from 16 points a month prior.

Henry also has gotten the lion’s share of endorsements from major law enforcement unions.

And the tightening race appeared to push James, who has championed the controversial cashless bail law that critics say fed a spike in violent and other crimes, into saying earlier this month that she’s now open to changes to the measures.

Meanwhile, her office’s investigative report concluding that three-term ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed or committed misconduct against a slew of women forced him to resign under the threat of impeachment last year. Cuomo has denied wrongdoing.

But that probe, run out of her office by independent investigators, also sparked cries of political opportunism when James initially toyed with the notion of running for governor this year.

She also has sued former President Donald Trump and his corporate empire, claiming they fraudulently inflated their real estate assets. Trump has denied wrongdoing and slammed James for engaging in a witch hunt.