Jumaane Williams Announces Run for Lieutenant Governor
Just before the long weekend, East Flatbush Councilmember Jumaane Williams made official what had been expected for some time: he’ll be running for the position of Lieutenant Governor of New York State in the upcoming election.
“Today, I am proud to announce that I am running to become the Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York,” Williams said in his announcement speech. “The Lieutenant Governor position needs to be more than ribbon cutting and rubber stamping. I want to be the people’s advocate in Albany, pushing the Governor and the legislature to enact the progressive policies that are the promise of our state. I want to represent the diverse needs of the people of our state– and by the way, our state government could use some diversity.”
The move is a challenge to Kathy Hochul, Governor Cuomo’s current second in command. While the new Governor and Lieutenant Governor will be elected on a single ticket this fall, each position has a separate primary.
Last month, William’s announced the formation of an exploratory committee to look into the possibility of running, after he’d tried to get elected City Council Speaker. He cited an outpouring of support from politicians to community members across the State that encouraged him to run.
Williams has already received endorsements from a number of figures on both a city and state level supporting his run. Video from his announcement rally can be seen below:
“Jumaane Williams is the strongest, clearest, and most fearless voice for justice that I know in elected office,” said Councilmember Brad Lander. For safety and justice, he led the effort to end discriminatory stop-and-frisk, establish the NYPD Inspector General, and ban profiling based on race, gender, immigration status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For affordability, he has fought tirelessly to strengthen the rent laws and to make our housing policies better serve those most in need. For opportunity, he led the fight for summer youth jobs.”“Jumaane Williams is a fighter for the little guy, whether workers fighting for their collective rights or individuals fighting against discrimination,” said Eddie Kay, veteran labor organizer. “I know he’ll utilize the position of Lieutenant Governor as more than the Governor’s mouthpiece—his voice is one for the people.”
Williams, a progressive Democrat, has led the charge against gun violence and tenant harassment as chair of the council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings and as co-chair of the Council’s Task Force to Combat Gun Violence. Legislative victories for Williams include legislation curtailing tenant harassment and the Community Safety Act, which led to the creation of the Office of Inspector General for the NYPD.
The outspoken Councilmember has been a consistent on-the-ground advocate, even showing up outside his district to confront landlords on behalf of a wrongfully evicted tenant last year. As a proponent of police reform, the Councilmember eventually opposed half of the Right to Know Act last year, calling the final version of the legislation “watered down” and “significantly less effective.”
In the run-up to the City Council Speaker election, Councilmember Williams revealed at “New Deal” plan for New York City, aimed at boosting economic growth and youth employment. It also recommended increasing term limits for Councilmembers, from the current 8 years to a total of 12 years, across three 4-year terms. “I can personally testify that Members need at least three potential terms to truly be successful in representing their constituencies,” Williams wrote at the time.
Ultimately unsuccessful in his bid for City Council Speaker, Williams is currently serving his third and final term as City Councilmember. If his run for Lieutenant Governor is successful, a special election would be held to elect a replacement Councilmember in the 45th.