Latest news with #JumaaneWilliams
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYC public advocate: Jumaane Williams wins Democratic primary
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Public Advocate incumbent Jumaane Williams won the Democratic primary for New York City's next public advocate on Tuesday. Williams, who has served as the city's public advocate since winning a special election in 2019, beat Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar for the nomination. Click here for election results Williams released the following statement after defeating Rajkumar Tuesday night: 'Thank you to every New Yorker who came out to vote today, who recognized the truth, who have again placed their trust in me to connect people to their government and hold the powerful to account. 'As we await the final results in many other races, I'm focused on what's next. 'Tomorrow, I'm going to continue to do what I've been honored to do throughout my time in public service — raising the voices and fighting for the needs of New Yorkers. Whether we have a nominee, or a mayor, who stands with us in fighting for progressive policies that make New York safer and more affordable, or one who stands in the way, I'll keep showing up for New Yorkers, and standing up in the face of injustice, not standing by.' During his campaign, Williams won the endorsement of many labor unions and organizations, including Planned Parenthood of Greater New York and the New York State Nurses Association. A number of public officials also backed Williams, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. The incumbent's win comes despite allegations that arose during his campaign that an ex-staffer was drugged and assaulted by two members of his security detail. Williams will now go up against the Republican candidate Gonzalo Duran in the November general election. For more New York City primary election results, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jumaane Williams wins reelection primary as NYC public advocate
NEW YORK — Public Advocate Jumaane Williams handily won Tuesday's Democratic primary, virtually guaranteeing he will be reelected in November for a second term as the city's chief ombudsman. With 31 percent of votes counted, preliminary returns from the New York City Board of Elections had Williams up 72-18 over state Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, who waged an aggressive challenge and slightly outraised the incumbent. That hefty lead prompted NY1 to call the race for the incumbent shortly after the polls closed. Throughout the campaign, Williams found himself bombarded with frequent and sometimes outlandish attacks from Rajkumar, who had initially planned to run for comptroller before dropping down to the public advocate race. The state lawmaker released several cartoons depicting Williams in an unflattering light and falsely claimed the incumbent slept until noon. The latter insult was lifted from New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a frequent foe of Williams and close ally of Rajkumar. The public advocate has few official functions and has traditionally served as a stepping stone to higher office. Officeholders can introduce legislation in the City Council and serve as a check on the executive branch through the bully pulpit.
New York Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Jumaane Williams Wins Democratic Primary for Public Advocate
Jumaane Williams, the progressive organizer who as New York City's public advocate emerged as one of the most prominent critics of Mayor Eric Adams, handily won the Democratic primary for the office on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. Mr. Williams, 48, faced a challenge from Jenifer Rajkumar, 42, a state assemblywoman from Queens and an ally of the mayor, and Marty Dolan, 67, a former insurance executive. Both argued that Mr. Williams was too left-leaning to effectively hold the office. And as the Democratic mayoral primary narrowed to a two-man race between the moderate former governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the progressive state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, Mr. Williams's opponents sought to portray him as a would-be adversary of Mr. Cuomo's who could impede the city's progress. The public advocate race grew contentious in its final weeks, with Ms. Rajkumar distributing political cartoons and campaign mailers painting the incumbent as lazy and hostile to women. Mr. Williams rejected her claims. But Mr. Williams, who trailed Ms. Rajkumar in fund-raising by about $100,000, easily bested his opponents through heavy advertising and name recognition. In one of his advertisements on Instagram, he underlined his ability to stand up to both Mr. Adams and President Trump, saying the city needed a 'strong, independent public advocate to stand up — not just stand by.' Mr. Williams has emerged as one of the highest-ranking progressive Democrats in city leadership since taking office after a special election in 2019. He previously served on the City Council, and in 2022, he challenged Kathy Hochul in the governor's race. A self-proclaimed 'activist elected official,' Mr. Williams has been arrested more than a dozen times at protests, including while demonstrating in favor of tenants' rights and against deportations. He is one of Mr. Adams's loudest critics. As the mayor stared down a federal corruption indictment last fall, Mr. Williams said the city was rudderless under his leadership. And as Governor Hochul weighed removing the mayor over his perceived quid pro quo with the Trump administration to drop the charges, Mr. Williams, who as public advocate is first in the line of succession to the mayor, made plans to take the helm in City Hall. The public advocate serves as a city watchdog, helping New Yorkers navigate issues with government and services. The position offers a bully pulpit and has often been considered a springboard to higher office; former Mayor Bill de Blasio and the state attorney general, Letitia James, have both held the post. Mr. Williams also weighed in on the mayoral primary as he campaigned for re-election. In late May, he endorsed a slate of progressive candidates that included Mr. Mamdani; Brad Lander, the city comptroller; and Adrienne Adams, the City Council speaker. He expressed concerns about Mr. Cuomo's candidacy and said that he would not be ranking the former governor on his ballot. Mr. Williams will face a slate of independent candidates in the general election. Mr. Dolan is expected to also run as an independent.
New York Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Will This Race Produce an Ally or Adversary for the Next New York Mayor?
The heated Democratic mayoral primary in New York City has been engulfed by ideological arguments over the city's management and the leadership vacuum among national Democrats. Similar issues are animating the party's race for public advocate, an office that serves as a kind of municipal government watchdog. The incumbent, Jumaane Williams, is being challenged by Jenifer Rajkumar, a state assemblywoman from Queens, and Marty Dolan, a retired insurance executive. Mr. Williams, who is supported by leading Democratic officials and organizations, has focused much of his message on how he plans to use the office to make New York more affordable. He has also vowed to ward off the threat of President Trump's anti-immigration policies, especially given Mayor Eric Adams's perceived cooperation with those efforts. An Emerson College survey last month showed Mr. Williams more than 40 points ahead of his two challengers, with roughly 15 percent of voters still undecided. As a heavy underdog, Ms. Rajkumar, his main rival, has gone into attack mode. While she has discussed her plans for how she would use the office, she has also questioned Mr. Williams's progressive views and whether they match the city's current political mood. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
New York Post
11-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
At least 15 arrested in NYC anti-ICE protest as thousands take to the street
At least 15 people were arrested at a massive anti-ICE protest in lower Manhattan Tuesday where shrieking, sign-holding demonstrators flooded the streets. Thousands of angry New Yorkers took to the streets outside Foley Square in the shadow of City Hall to protest the Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations ongoing in the city and throughout the country. Thousands of angry New Yorkers took to the streets outside Foley Square to protest ICE deportations, leading to at least 15 arrests. AFP via Getty Images Picketers carried placards reading 'Abolish ICE' and 'ICE out of New York!' and chanted phrases such as, 'Brick by brick, wall by wall, this racist system has got to fall!' At least 15 demonstrators were taken into custody by the NYPD near Broadway and Duane Street for obstructing traffic and not complying with orders to disperse, according to police sources. Notable speakers at the protest included Brooklyn Councilwoman Shahana Hanif and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
