NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Jumaane Williams was reelected as public Advocate, the Associated Press projected.
The public advocate is a non-voting member of the New York City Council who can introduce and co-sponsor bills, provide oversight for city agencies and investigate complaints about services.
The position is first in line in mayoral succession. Past advocates include current Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York State Attorney General Letitia James.
CLICK HERE for full New York Election results.
Here’s a look at the candidates:
JUMAANE WILLIAMS (Democrat)
TOP 3 ISSUES
Ensuring a just COVID-19 recovery
Redefining public safety
Increasing government transparency and accountability
BACKGROUND
Williams is the incumbent public advocate after winning a special election for the position in 2019. The Brooklyn College grad was a City Council member for nearly a decade before taking the role.
Williams’ bid for public advocate comes simultaneously with his look at a gubernatorial bid next year. He announced the forming of an exploratory committee late last month, which would pit him against Gov. Kathy Hochul, who he ran against for lieutenant governor in 2018.
He defended his decision to consider a run in a public advocate debate, saying he’s “caught between having to make decisions at the same time.”
Other prominent issues in his campaign include continuing to fight for LGBTQ equality, stopping ICE (something he's been arrested for protesting) and ending mass incarceration.
Williams has netted a long list of endorsements, including the Working Families Party, Make the Road New York and the New York Progressive Action Network.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“Our city needs a Public Advocate who can effectively be an activist elected official, with more than just politics, bringing the voice of everyday New Yorkers into the halls of government. As NYC’s current Public Advocate, I pledge to continue to combine activism and legislation to help make our city a truly progressive beacon, and fight for a just and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
DEVI NAMPIAPARAMPIL (Republican, Save Our City)
TOP 3 ISSUES
None submitted.
BACKGROUND
Dr. Nampiaparampil is a chronic pain physician who has appeared in hundreds of news segments on Fox News, CNN and more. She’s also a medical contributor for Fox 5 New York.
Nampiaparampil said she has treated thousands of patients over two decades in business, and has created New York City jobs in the process. She also said she’s worked as an administrator in federal government.
Nampiaparampil called vaccine mandates “polarizing.” She said she sent her child away for eight months during the lockdown due to a lack of childcare while treating patients.
She also supports increasing the amount of law enforcement officers on the street and adding additional training for them, while denouncing New York’s bail reform law.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“Many people have lost confidence in the government, especially when they’re all night because of the noise, when they’re afraid to walk freely because of crime, and when they see garbage and feces splattered all over the communities they’ve invested in.”
ANTHONY HERBERT (Conservative, Independent)
TOP 3 ISSUES
Public safety
Housing the mentally ill/homeless
Fixing NYCHA
BACKGROUND
Herbert is a former staffer U.S. Rep. Ed Towns, along with work with state Senate and City Council members. He also cites “extensive” financial services experience with multiple banking institutions and the city’s Department of Finance.
Herbert, who goes by “Tony,” is currently an executive with the NAACP-NYCHA chapter, executive VP of Youth Step USA and president of the National Action Network’s New York Public Housing chapter.
He said he has fought to “give a voice for the voiceless” since gentrification cost his family their home as a child.
Herbert ran during 2019’s public advocate special election, only garnering less than 1% of the vote in a very crowded field that Williams won with about 32.8%. He also ran for the Democratic nomination in the state Assembly’s 55th District election in 2014, but finished fifth.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“I want New Yorkers to know that I will be their Public Advocate and someone that they can really count on operating with the utmost integrity, transparency and concern for their well being. I will place their safety as my priority and also work my very hardest to keep them well informed as to what is happening in their city legislatively. I am a common sense candidate that will unite NY and put people before politics!”
DEVIN BALKIND (Libertarian)
TOP 3 ISSUES
Improve infrastructure by exposing corruption
Improve services with technology transformation
Improve everything with open innovation
BACKGROUND
Balkind is the leader of nonprofit WeGov.NYC, an initiative aimed to create a comprehensive public directory of the city’s infrastructure projects.
Balkind said the nonprofit has revealed the projects on average take twice as long and cost twice as much as originally planned.
He has taken a clear aim at more transparency in city government, with a focus on tech and infrastructure.
According to his personal website, he’s also CEO of Pruvn, a software development firm and the president of Sahana Software Foundation, a nonprofit that makes open source disaster management software.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“I’m a lifelong New Yorker who’s spent the last decade helping governments, nonprofits and startups improve people's lives. I'll turn the Public Advocate's Office into a public-interest technology organization that modernizes government.”
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