Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Letitia James speaks during a 2013 interview
A US state attorney general will become the first black woman to run for the top job in New York state, reports say.
District Attorney Letitia James will announce her bid for governor and will run against Andrew Cuomo, CNN and the New York Times said.
Ms James, 55, a former assistant district attorney, would become the state’s first female and black governor.
Mr Cuomo, a Democrat, has not ruled out a bid, however.
In a statement to the Times, Mr Cuomo said he was “happy that many great leaders are considering entering this debate”.
Billionaire real estate developer and political donor, Mr Cuomo, 55, has been serving in the job since 2011 and is expected to seek re-election in November.
Support for Ms James to succeed him is seen as a key part of an effort by the left to regain the governorship.
The district attorney also has the support of the NAACP, The New York Daily News reported.
‘Incredibly qualified’
Ms James said she would announce her bid on Wednesday and said she would compete with Mr Cuomo for a number of issues including education, housing and healthcare, according to the Times.
“The fact that no one has ever been elected to the position by way of the Democratic party in the first place tells me that there’s a tremendous amount of work to be done,” she told CNN.
It is “incredibly qualified” to run for governor, Ms James, who has just completed her third four-year term as a New York attorney general, said.
She would need to defeat current Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie as well as Andrew Gillum and Cynthia Nixon, who are also running for governor.
The Times said Ms James’ wealth will not be an issue. She made $684,283 for her time in office as DA. She is a former aide to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
In a statement to the Times, Mr Cuomo said: “First of all, my commitment is to the people of the state of New York.
“When I look at the accomplishments that I’ve made and I look at the countless programmes that I’ve had a hand in, you know what? I’m happy that many great leaders are considering entering this debate.”
