Former Coinbase policy advisor Khurram Dara is considering running for New York Attorney General in 2026, hoping to replace Letitia James.
In an interview, Dara stated that he has not yet decided whether to run, but if he does, digital assets will be an important issue in the campaign.
With more than a year until the election, Columbia Law School graduate Dara has publicly supported Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm on social media and criticized individuals including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Dara stated, "My platform will focus on fully ending the legal battles, including the legal battles against cryptocurrency."
The current New York Attorney General has taken legal action against cryptocurrency companies, including Genesis and KuCoin, since taking office in 2019 to protect New York residents.
New York, as one of the business centers of the United States, is home to companies like Gemini, Galaxy Digital, and Chainalysis, making the Attorney General position significant in handling digital asset regulations and enforcement.
Cointelegraph reached out to James's campaign team, but no response had been received by the publication date. So far, James has not announced plans to run for re-election in 2026.
Another Republican lawyer challenges the Democratic incumbent
The 36-year-old Dara has never held public office; he interned in the New York State Senate in 2006 and worked for Republican Congressman Thomas Reynolds in the U.S. House in 2008.
If Dara runs as a Republican, he will not be the first candidate with experience in lawsuits against cryptocurrency companies to challenge the incumbent Democrat.
Dara said, "New York is a place where many cryptocurrency, technology, and venture capital people aspire to be, with an incredible density of talent. I believe the state government should embrace this rather than try to avoid it."
According to a poll in December 2024, James has a 40% approval rating in New York. As of August, the only other candidate who has announced participation in the 2026 New York Attorney General race is Republican Michael Henry, who lost to James in the 2022 election.