It is easy to appreciate Public Advocate-elect Jumaane Williams‘ sincerity, soulfulness and spirit. He is a charismatic, smart black man with excellent leadership qualities, who has overcome tremendous odds to get to where he is, and he has the quiet ambition to continue to succeed in politics.
His victory night speech at Cafe Omar was very moving, and he indicated that he will not seek to run for mayor in 2021. This sentiment was echoed by his very capable campaign manager/spokesperson, William Gerlich. “I do not think he (Williams) will run for mayor in 2021,” said Gerlich.
Williams has proven himself to be a very able legislator in the city council, who was one of only three city council members to vote against the mayor’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing plan, supports the long dormant Small Business Jobs Survival Act and has sponsored legislation to put a moratorium and possible halt to the city’s Third Party Transfer program, which has resulted in deeds of black and brown property owners taken under very questionable circumstances.
At 42, Williams could very well pass over running for mayor, which a good number of political pundits feel is a dead-end as a political elected office. Instead, he could use the public advocate position to continue to raise his public profile for a possible challenge to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and/or possibly State Attorney General Letitia James for the governor’s mansion in 2020, which could also leapfrog him onto the national stage.
Other Winners From The Public Advocate’s Race
Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park): As chair of William’s campaign. Bichotte proved herself both as a queenmaker and whose political capital if growing. In a sense her running Williams’ campaign also piggyback on her successful effort last year to get a wide swath of Flatbush and East Flatbush designated “Little Haiti.”
Central Brooklyn’s Black-American community: In particular the Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA) and its President Henry Butler and City Council Member Robert Cornegy (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights). VIDA remains Brooklyn’s second most powerful political club after the Thomas Jefferson Democrats in Canarsie.
Kings County Democratic Party Chair Frank Seddio and the County Democratic Orgnaization: Williams cut his political teeth as a member of Seddio’s Thomas Jefferson Democrats Club, and they came out big for him. Williams learned well from Seddio what it takes to organize and win an election.
Progressives, including those highly critical of Israel: Both Williams and City Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Kensington, Windsor Terrace) acknowledged Palestinian-American Activist Linda Sarsour at Williams victory celebration. Sarsour supports the BDS (Boycott, Divest, and Sanction) movement against Israel.
Losers From The Public Advocate’s Race
The orthodox Jewish community: This community voted overwhelmingly for Republican City Council Member Eric Ulrich, who came in second place. Under Williams watch, one can expect tighter scrutiny over the curriculum at yeshivas, and social and geopolitical issues important to Orthodox Jews.
Assemblymember Michael Blake (D-Bronx): Blake came into the public contest with plenty of money and national recognition, but garnered just 8.24% of the vote.
The Voting Public: Just 2.9% of the public voted in the special election for public advocate and just 1.6% of the city’s total population voted. In total about $7.17 million in public money was spent on the election including a $8-to-$1 public financing match on some of the dollars raised.
