Public Advocate Jumaane Williams announced that he is running for New York governor, joining a Democratic primary that already includes New York Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Kathy Hochul, who replaced Andrew Cuomo following his resignation this summer.
Two weeks ago, with more than two-thirds of the vote Williams was re-elected to his current post.
Williams has prepped for a potential run for governor for months now, going on a statewide listening tour to hear from voters and created an exploratory committee.
He previously served on the city council and in 2018, in a surprisingly close race, Hochul defeated him in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.
Williams highlighted his objectives to lead protest movements against police abuse and deportations, leading his record to pass legislation as a public advocate.
“Right now, our state needs to move forward: from a pandemic, from an era of scandal, and from old ways of governing that have failed so many for so long,” Williams says.
His oppositions are primarily Attorney General Letitia James, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and any other Democrat who decides to seek the governorship.
“Right now our state needs to move forward, from a pandemic, from an era of scandal, and from old ways of governing that have failed so many for so long.” ” Williams said.
Furthermore, if Williams wins the chair, he would be the second Black man to lead New York, but the first to be elected to the office.
In addition to that, Letitia James would also be the first Black woman elected governor of New York or any other state.
Moreover, during his campaign, Williams spoke about his life as an activist and his diagnosis with Tourette Syndrome and ADHD as a teenager.
“My Tourette’s has never defined me, but it has represented a truth about my life and my work. I’m always moving,” he says. “When you’re an activist, moving is a mantra, a means of creating change.”
