In 2013, Letitia James, then a Democratic primary candidate for New York City public advocate, was out-raised by $1 million by Daniel Squadron, then a state senator. Ms. James overcame the fund-raising disadvantage, capturing the primary and the general election.

Things are different now. Ms. James, one of four Democrats vying to replace Eric T. Schneiderman as attorney general, is the chosen candidate of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a relationship that seems to be paying off.

Ms. James will have raised more than $1 million in the latest reporting period, according to her campaign. Almost 60 percent of donations were for $200 or less.

“The number of small donors and the strength of her grass-roots support is a direct reflection of New Yorkers’ belief that Tish James is the attorney general we need at this crucial time in our country,” Delaney Kempner, a spokeswoman for Ms. James, said.