NEW YORK — State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar is planning to challenge incumbent Jumaane Williams for the role of New York City public advocate — a watchdog position the far-left Williams has held since 2019.
Rajkumar had been running for city comptroller — a more powerful job that will be open this year — but will soon announce her intention to switch, two people familiar with her plans told POLITICO.
That means Williams could face an energetic and well-funded challenge to his reelection from a close ally of Mayor Eric Adams — once a benefit that’s becoming more of a vulnerability as the indicted mayor sinks in the polls. Williams, a harsh critic of Adams, has been coasting to election with only token opposition.
Rajkumar, a centrist Democrat, is one of Adams’ closest allies in the state Legislature and regularly appears at his public events far outside her central Queens district.
She did not deny that she would switch races when asked last week about the prospect. “I am running for comptroller. Any campaign announcements I ever have, you’ll be the first to know,” she said.
Two people familiar with her plans said she would announce a run for public advocate Monday.
Rajkumar initially planned to run for public advocate last year, but filed to run for comptroller instead after incumbent Brad Lander announced his intention to run for mayor instead, creating an opening.
She faced difficult opposition in that race, having been outraised by both Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and City Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan. Citywide primaries will be held June 24.
With more than $275,000 on hand, however, Rajkumar has more in the bank than Williams, who has $69,000. But the race won’t be easy — Williams is a popular incumbent with high name recognition after running statewide twice, for lieutenant governor and governor.