The hits keep coming for embattled New York Attorney General Letitia James.
James, a Democrat who is facing a mountain of legal trouble ranging from bank fraud to mortgage fraud on top of Department of Justice subpoenas investigating her office in criminal “selective enforcement” of laws, is still seeking a third term for the Empire State’s top prosecutor.
But James’ run at attorney general could be coming to an end thanks to a surprising challenger floated by Republicans.
As first reported by The New York Post, Khurram Dara, a 36-year-old crypto lawyer, is running for state attorney general, seeking the Republican nomination to replace James.
Lawfare isn’t just wrong – it’s costly.
I’m running for Attorney General to end lawfare, enforce the law, and create a better business climate in New York to tackle the affordability crisis.
Join the fight. Donate today. https://t.co/GhQIuwvIM3 pic.twitter.com/n8Fynf6esq
— Khurram Dara (@KhurramDara) November 20, 2025
“Letitia James has been a professional politician for over twenty years and throughout her career she has consistently put her own political interests ahead of New Yorkers,” Dara said in a statement.
“I’m running for New York State Attorney General because the people of New York deserve an AG that puts New Yorkers first, not one consumed by her own political ambitions.”
Dara most recently led regulatory and policy at Bain Capital Crypto, the well-known firm’s dedicated crypto venture fund.
According to representatives for Dara, if elected he pledges to end lawfare — when prosecutors use legal tactics for political ends — fairly enforce the law and create a better business climate to help fight the affordability crisis.
One of Dara’s main platforms is pushing back against James’ anti-business stance.
“The evolution of state AGs into regulators and policymakers has been costly in more ways than one – and nowhere has that been more apparent than in New York. Not only did it set the stage for Letitia James’ partisan lawfare, it has also increased the cost of doing business – leading to higher prices at a time when New Yorkers face a crippling affordability crisis,” he said.
“Letitia James has not earned another term. New York needs an Attorney General that will enforce the law, not politicize it. That’s why I am running.”
Dara is seen as a dark horse, as New York political insiders noted that he would have to face off in a primary against Republican Michael Henry, the 2022 GOP candidate for attorney general who has remained deeply connected with GOP officials across the state, according to The Post.
Dara is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the advisory board of the Investor Choice Advocates Network, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting regulatory overreach and expanding access to the capital markets to small investors and entrepreneurs.
However, Dara is still seen as a strong matchup against James, who has led efforts to sue leading cryptocurrency firms during her time as attorney general.
James was recently indicted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and charged with mortgage fraud concerning residential properties she owns in Virginia. She denies the charges.
James gained notoriety over the criminal cases brought against President Trump, the National Rifle Association, as well as an investigation into sexual misconduct accusations that forced the resignation of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.