India, Aug. 16 -- Republican New York Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy has emerged as a high-profile challenger to incumbent Democrat Letitia James after President Donald Trump endorsed her campaign, bringing renewed attention to the Indian-American lawyer's career, family background and political rise.

Trump endorsed Komatireddy on August 15, calling James a "total disaster" and backing her Republican challenger in the November election.

Komatireddy thanked Trump for the endorsement and said she was ready to take on James.

The endorsement adds another layer to a race shaped by the long-running political battle between Trump and James. James' office pursued a civil fraud case against Trump and his company, while the Trump...