WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES NOVEMBER 25, 2021 7
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Williams makes run for governor offi cial
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams made it offi cial that he is running for governor. Photo by Dean Moses
BY STEPHEN WITT
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
New York City Public Advocate
Jumaane D. Williams made it
offi cial last week: He’s running
for governor.
The announcement came aft er a
seven-week exploratory phase, during
which Williams visited and spoke
with areas throughout the Empire
State to drum up support, including
Long Island, the Mid-Hudson, Rochester
and Buff alo.
“In this moment, I believe we need
bold, principled progressive leadership
in Albany to move our state
forward with justice and equity, no
matter the political winds,” Williams
said. “I’m honored to announce my candidacy
to be the next governor of New
York, humbled by this opportunity to
empower the people and renew New
York, and excited to share my vision of
structural change with communities
all across the state I love.”
Having been re-elected public advocate
earlier this month, Williams
has built a reputation as one of New
York City’s most progressive elected
offi cials. Now, the candidate says he
wants to take that leadership statewide.
“There is a movement building in
New York. A courageous progressive
movement that challenges the powerful
— and helps restore that power to
the people. A movement I’m proud to
be a part of. Because without courageous
progressive leadership, the way
things have always been will stand in
the way of what they can be,” he added.
In a video released with his announcement,
Williams spoke about
his time growing up in Brooklyn with
Tourette syndrome and ADHD; his
time as an organizer; and how he has
incorporated that work into a decade
of service as an elected offi cial.
Williams, 45, and a graduate of
Brooklyn Tech High School and
Brooklyn College, started his elected
political career as a councilman from
2010-2019.
Since becoming public advocate
in 2019, Williams said he has passed
more legislation than any of his predecessors
throughout their tenure,
ranging from protecting aff ordable
housing and promoting racial equity
in development to codifying the right
to record police activity.
In 2018, while still in the City
Council, he mounted a progressive
insurgent primary campaign for
lieutenant governor against now
Governor Kathy Hochul, and nearly
beat her with 47% of the vote — most
of it within New York City.
In announcing his run, Williams
immediately claimed the mantle of
the progressive left in an increasingly
crowded Democratic Primary fi eld
that includes Hochul and Attorney
General Letitia James.
Outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio and
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island/
Queens) are also believed to be eyeing
a run for governor.
A spokesperson for James’ campaign
welcomed Williams in the race.
“Throughout his career, Public Advocate
Jumaane Williams has been an
important leader on issues from police
reform to housing and we welcome him
to the race. Attorney General James is
running a change-making campaign
for governor and as we’ve seen in just
a short time there has been a groundswell
of support from New Yorkers,
labor unions, elected officials and
others around her historic candidacy
for governor,” said the spokesperson.
The primary is slated for June 28,
2022. The winner advances to the
general election on Nov. 8.
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