Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor on Thursday to investigate an alleged 2024 gang rape at Cornell University. Hochul said she had lost faith in the Tompkins County district attorney’s ability to oversee the case fairly and that the young woman involved deserved a full examination of the facts and pursuit of justice. The appointment raises questions about impartiality because Hochul and James are both seeking re-election and were once political rivals. James announced a Democratic primary challenge to Hochul two months after Hochul assumed office, but later reconsidered, while Hochul won her first full term as governor in 2022. The decision may also help Hochul counter Republican rival Bruce Blakeman’s accusations that she has been weak on crime and highlight her support for vulnerable New Yorkers, including immigrants and victims of sexual assault.