Saritha Komatireddy / Saritha Komatireddy via LinkedIn

Republican New York Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy received endorsements from police unions in Buffalo and Rochester on Aug. 12.

The endorsements came from the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association and the Rochester Police Department Locust Club, representing officers in two of Upstate New York’s largest cities. 

Also Read: Komatireddy calls for transit cime crackdown

“I am incredibly honored to have the support of the men and women who put on the uniform every day to protect Buffalo and Rochester,” Komatireddy said. “These officers know better than anyone what is happening on our streets and what it takes to keep communities safe.”

She added that officers “deserve an Attorney General who will stand with them, listen to them, and work alongside local law enforcement instead of treating them like the enemy.”

John Davidson, president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, said the union endorsed Komatireddy because of her prosecutorial background and position on public safety.

“The Buffalo PBA is proud to endorse Saritha Komatireddy for Attorney General because New York needs an Attorney General who will stand with law enforcement, hold criminals accountable, and put public safety first,” Davidson said.

Davidson said Buffalo officers “deserve an Attorney General who will have their backs,” pointing to Komatireddy’s work prosecuting terrorists, drug traffickers and violent criminals.

Paul Dondorfer, president of the Rochester Police Department Locust Club, said the union had historically had limited interaction with the Attorney General’s office outside investigations involving police officers.

“For years, there’s been no relationship between local law enforcement and the Attorney General unless they were investigating one of our officers,” Dondorfer said.

Dondorfer also cited Komatireddy’s experience prosecuting international terrorism cases, saying New York needs an attorney general with a proven record in such cases.

“The state is a clear target for terrorists,” Dondorfer said. “We need someone with a proven record of fighting terrorists, and Saritha has proven herself in the courtroom in cases involving international terrorists.”

Komatireddy has made public safety a central focus of her campaign. Her platform includes cracking down on repeat offenders, strengthening cooperation between state and local law enforcement, combating organized retail and auto theft, and providing police officers with greater support and resources.

As a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York, Komatireddy handled cases involving international terrorism, cybercrime, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, fraud and foreign public corruption. She later served as chief of staff at the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Whether you live in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, New York City, or anywhere in between, you deserve to feel safe in your neighborhood,” Komatireddy said. “New York needs an Attorney General who understands law enforcement, backs the people doing this work every day, and will use the office to make our communities safer.”

Komatireddy has campaigned across New York, meeting with police officers, sheriffs, prosecutors, local officials and community members about public safety concerns. She entered the race in December 2025 and was unanimously endorsed by the New York Republican State Committee in February, making her the party’s nominee without a Republican primary contest.

She has also received support from Republicans including Rep. Mike Lawler and former Rep. John Faso. In July, her campaign announced a six-figure statewide digital advertising campaign targeting voters across all 62 New York counties. 

James, who has served as New York attorney general since 2019, is seeking a third term. Komatireddy is seeking to make public safety and law enforcement central issues in her campaign against James.

The Attorney General’s race is part of New York’s 2026 statewide elections, which also include contests for governor and comptroller. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, with early voting scheduled for Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, according to the New York State Board of Elections.

Discover more at New India Abroad.