NEW YORK (NYTIMES) - Ms Letitia James, the New York attorney-general who oversaw the inquiry into sexual harassment claims against former governor Andrew Cuomo that ultimately led to his resignation, declared her candidacy for governor Friday (Oct 29), setting up a history-making, high-profile match-up in the Democratic primary.

She begins the campaign as Governor Kathy Hochul's most formidable challenger, and her announcement triggers a start to what may be an extraordinarily competitive primary - a contest set to be shaped by issues of ideology, race and region in a state still battling its way out of the pandemic.

Her announcement comes at a volatile moment in state politics, a day after Cuomo was charged in a sexual misconduct complaint based on the account of one of the women whose claims of sexual harassment were detailed in the attorney general's report.

That development, Ms James said, validated "the findings in our report", and to her allies it further cemented the case for her leadership. But it has also added fresh fuel to Cuomo's suggestion that her investigation was politically motivated, a message that may resonate with some of the voters who still view him favourably.

"I'm running for governor of New York because I have the experience, vision, and courage to take on the powerful on behalf of all New Yorkers," Ms James wrote on Twitter as she released her announcement video Friday.

In the video, a narrator said that Ms James was running "for good-paying jobs, a healthcare system that puts people ahead of profits, to protect the environment, make housing more affordable and lift up our schools in every neighbourhood". The video did not mention Cuomo by name.

Ms James, a veteran Brooklyn politician and the first woman of colour to be elected to statewide office in New York, is seeking to become the first black female governor in the country; Ms Hochul, who is white, is the state's first female chief executive and the first governor in more than a century to have deep roots in western New York.

The race may have even broader implications as a key barometer of the direction of the Democratic Party in the Biden era. Ms Hochul, of the Buffalo area, was once known as a more conservative Democrat, but she has increasingly moved leftward.

Ms James, by turn, has plenty of connections to the relatively moderate Democratic establishment but also has long-standing ties to the left-wing Working Families Party. It is not yet clear what issues she will use to differentiate herself politically from Ms Hochul, but there is plainly the potential for vigorous clashes over how best to move the state and party forward.

Ms James' allies believe that she could assemble a powerful coalition that includes black voters of varying ideological views, a broad swath of left-leaning voters who welcomed her probes of Cuomo, national donors interested in her history-making potential and a base in the most vote-rich part of the state.

She has deep connections to some labour leaders, too; Mr John Samuelsen, international president of the Transport Workers Union, declared minutes after Ms James' announcement that she "will be a governor that working New Yorkers can trust". His union officially endorsed Ms James a few hours later - the first union endorsement in the race for governor, her campaign noted.

In recent weeks, Ms James has moved to build out her political and fundraising teams, and she begins the contest with significant New York City connections after serving on the City Council and as public advocate.

She has also spent time travelling across New York - in her official capacity and for purely political outings - and she and her team have sounded out donors, labour leaders and elected officials as she moved toward a bid. Her team has begun seeking commitments for early endorsements that could help her build momentum quickly.

But Ms Hochul begins the race with her own significant advantages. She has been racing to cement an overwhelming fund-raising edge; receptive donors are one of the many benefits of incumbency.

She is likely to perform strongly upstate, and she has spent years building relationships on Long Island. Since becoming governor, she has maintained a breakneck public schedule heavily concentrated in the five New York City boroughs, working to shore up her downstate strength and tapping a lieutenant governor, Mr Brian Benjamin, who hails from Harlem.

And she has already locked down significant institutional support from groups including the Democratic Governors Association and Emily's List, the fundraising powerhouse that backs female candidates who support abortion rights. She has been endorsed by county chairs across the state, the state Democratic chair and the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People New York State Conference.

Many New Yorkers approve of the way she has handled the transition from a decade of Cuomo's iron-fisted reign and appear inclined to give her more time to acclimate to the job - while some Democrats would prefer Ms James to stay as attorney-general to see through existing cases, including one involving former president Donald Trump and his business dealings.

Ms Hochul and Ms James are unlikely to be the only contenders for the nomination, and there is a real possibility of the kind of messy, crowded primary that some party leaders, wary of Democratic infighting, had hoped to avoid.

Two of Ms James' fellow Brooklynites, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Mr Jumaane Williams, the public advocate, are both taking steps towards campaigns for governor and could cut into her coalition in New York City.

Representative Thomas Suozzi, who represents Long Island and a sliver of Queens, has also been considering a run. Unlike the other possible contenders, he would seek to outflank Ms Hochul as a moderate option in the race as she works to build strength in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Mr Steven Bellone, the Suffolk County executive, is also weighing a campaign.