In the political equivalent of shock and awe, along with shrewd backroom dealmaking, City Councilmember Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) sewed up key political Brooklyn support in his bid to succeed Attorney General-elect Letitia James as the city’s public advocate in a special election for the seat expected in February.
Today he was also endorsed by Kings County Democratic Chairman Frank Seddio, as well as several key Brooklyn elected officials including the powerful and growing Haitian-American block led by Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) and State Senators Kevin Parker (D-East Flatbush, Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Boro Park) and Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetowne, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) and City Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington).
“It’s an honor to have so many of my colleagues and progressive grassroots organizations stand by me today as I officially announce my run for Public Advocate,” said Williams, who ran an excellent campaign for lieutenant governor, and came up just short of upsetting incumbent Kathy Hochul. “Our city needs a public advocate who can effectively be an activist elected official, fighting for working families across the five boroughs. So many of the challenges our city face are uphill battles, but I’m used to running up hills, and will continue to do that as our city’s next public advocate.”
Williams made the announcement on the steps of city hall where he was also received endorsements from the Working Families Party, the New York Progressive Action Network and several construction unions and black construction workers organizations.
But the surprise endorsement came from Seddio, who sources say threw his support behind Williams at the recent annual Somos Conference gathering in Puerto Rico of electeds and political power brokers. While Seddio wasn’t in attendance at today’s second kickoff announcement from Williams that he is running, he did send a statement.
“I’m proud to throw my support behind a fellow Brooklynite who will continue fighting for our borough and New Yorkers across they city. Jumaane will be an excellent public advocate, and I look forward to being a part of his progressive campaign,” said Seddio in the statement.
Bichotte, who is serving as William’s Campaign Chair and is also the Chairwoman of the Shirley Chisholm Democratic Club, added, “When I first ran for the New York State Assembly, Jumaane was one of the first people to stand by my side and has been by my side ever since. I have no doubt in my mind that Jumaane is the best person to be New York City’s Public Advocate. It is what he has been doing his whole career.”
Persaud called the real deal and part of the progressive blue wave helping to advance some of the most pressing issues facing local communities. “As a council member he has used his role to serve as an advocate for the people, so I am proud to endorse his candidacy for New York City’s Public Advocate,” said Persaud.
Lander said Williams is one of the strongest, clearest, most fearless leaders for justice that he knows in elected office. “He led our work in the City Council to combat discriminatory stop-and-frisk, for the NYPD Inspector General and a stronger prohibition on bias-based profiling, to expand summer youth jobs, and for restorative approaches to ending violence in our communities. There is no better fighter for communities across NYC. I’m thrilled to endorse my colleague and my friend Jumaane Williams in his run for Public Advocate of the City of New York,” said Lander, who is said to be eying the open city Comptroller seat in 2020.
Also in attendance at the press conference was Haitian-American Farah Louis, who sources say is eyeing Williams’ City Council seat, and who Williams may support for his city council seat in political horsetrading for support in public advocate run..
If this comes to pass Brooklyn Haitian-American elected officials aligned under Bichotte’s leadership will include recently elected Coney Island Assemblywoman Mathylde Frontus, Louis and Democratic District Leader Josue (Josh) Pierre who is looking at term-limited Mathieu Eugene‘s City Council seat.
Thus, a win for Williams could also be a springboard for Bichotte’s political ambitions.
Although Williams has to now be considered the frontrunner, Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake is expected to mount a strong challenge and City Councilmember Rafael Espinal (D-East New York, Bushwick) cannot be overlooked. Having several men in the race could also open the door for a woman candidate, possibly former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito or somebody else.
