This year's race for state attorney general has been an unusual one for New York politics. After Eric Schneiderman stepped down in May because of sexual abuse allegations, the seat was left wide open. Now, with the primary election just a week away, four Democrats—Letitia James, Sean Patrick Maloney, Zephyr Teachout and Leecia Eve—are jockeying for their party's nomination in what has become one of the closest races in the region.

For much of the campaign, Letitia James, New York City's public advocate, appeared to be the safe bet: she locked up endorsements early and won the support of establishment Democrats like Gov. Andrew Cuomo. But in the past few weeks, Fordham Law professor Zephyr Teachout began gathering momentum, bolstered by the progressive wing of the Democratic party.

James' emergence as the establishment candidate is a big change for her, according to City & State reporter Jeff Coltin. She had previously enjoyed a reputation as a political outsider.

"She was the first-ever politician elected on only the Working Families Party line back when she ran for City Council in 2003," Coltin told tells WNYC host Sean Carlson. "But now she has been fully embraced by the system incarnate: Gov. Andrew Cuomo."

Listen to the full conversation above.

The final primary debate will be broadcast on WNYC FM and AM at 7 PM tonight.