NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – Jumaane Williams, the city's public advocate, announced Tuesday he has launched an exploratory committee, taking a step closer toward potentially running for New York governor next year.
“I’ve spent my entire career, most of my life, pushing and advocating and fighting on behalf of the people and against injustice and inertia,” Williams said in the announcement. “What’s wrong in New York, and what’s stopping the people in power from changing it. I’m proud to have had many successes in that fight.”
Williams, 45, filed paperwork with the state Board of Elections to create a statewide campaign committee account and will convene an advisory council, touring the state in October to hear from New Yorkers.
The committee will include elected officials, advocates and community leaders across New York.
His announcement comes amid mounting speculation, telling New York Magazine's Intelligencer in a report Monday that he was seriously considering the bid, which would pit him against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, who took the reins from Andrew Cuomo after he resigned last month amid a sexual harassment scandal. Hochul has already said she intends to run in 2022.
Williams said the culture in Albany needs drastic change after years of “toxicity” during Cuomo’s tenure, and as the state recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re not considering running against someone right now, we’re considering running for something,” Williams said. “If you’re going to renew and recover, you should remove that infrastructure that enabled someone like Cuomo to be around for so long, either by people explicitly supporting or enabling through silence.”
A potential run could also mean a face-off with Attorney General Letitia James in the Democratic primary. Despite speculation, James hasn’t indicated that she plans to run for governor in 2022, saying at a news conference last week, “My focus is on my work in the Office of the New York State Attorney General.” James is up for reelection next year.
One source told the New York Post that Williams was “trying to get out ahead” of James, as well as Mayor Bill de Blasio, who can’t seek reelection and has suggested he may also seek the governor’s office in 2022.
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