The race for New York City’s public advocate is shaping up to be a captivating contest ahead of the city’s Democratic primary on June 24. Jumaane Williams, the incumbent, is facing challenges from Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and retired insurance executive Marty Dolan as he seeks a second four-year term.
The role of public advocate is crucial, serving as the main elected watchdog of the city government. As a liaison between constituents and city government, the public advocate investigates complaints and concerns regarding city operations and public services, proposing solutions as necessary. Additionally, the public advocate holds a non-voting position on the City Council and has the power to introduce legislation.
An independently elected official, the public advocate monitors other elected officials’ compliance with the New York City Charter and chairs the Commission of Public Information and Communication. The public advocate, along with the mayor and the comptroller, is one of three municipal offices elected by the entirety of New York City’s voting population.
Recent polling data, although scarce, gives Williams a significant lead. An Emerson College poll published in late May shows him garnering 56% of respondents’ first-choice votes, while Rajkumar and Dolan trail at 15% and 13%, respectively. Notably, 16% of respondents remain undecided in their choice.
Despite trailing in the poll numbers, Rajkumar has outpaced her opponents in fundraising, bringing in approximately $475,000 in private funds along with nearly $1.5 million in public funds. Williams follows closely, having raised about $356,000 in private funds and approximately $1.2 million in public funds. Dolan’s fundraising efforts appear limited, with just $52,000 in private funds.
As the primary election approaches, campaign expenditures reveal that Williams has outspent Rajkumar by about $10,000, yet he has a campaign balance of $674,000 compared to Rajkumar’s $1.17 million, according to the NYC Campaign Finance Board.
The Democratic nominee for public advocate will likely be the favorite in the general election, as a majority of New York City voters identify as Democrats. The primary will utilize ranked-choice voting, allowing voters to rank their preferences.
**Jumaane Williams**
Williams, the current public advocate, is seeking another four-year term after being elected through a special election in 2019, following Letitia James’ departure to serve as state attorney general. Since his entry into NYC politics in 2010, he served on the New York City Council for the 45th district until stepping into the public advocate role. In 2018, he unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor against Kathy Hochul and later attempted to attain the governorship in 2022, where he was once again defeated by Hochul.
Originating from Brooklyn, Williams’ political activism dates back to his participation in the Occupy Wall Street movement in the early 2010s. His campaign focuses on issues such as affordability, government transparency, criminal justice reform, and gun violence prevention. Williams often cites his legislative accomplishments as public advocate, claiming to have passed more legislation than all previous advocates combined since the office’s creation in 1993.
In recent debates, Williams has criticized Mayor Eric Adams, claiming the mayor has not adequately served New Yorkers. At a recent debate, he labeled both President Donald Trump and Adams as threats to the city, urging voters to choose a public advocate who will stand up for New Yorkers with transparency and courage. However, mere days before the debate, allegations regarding a toxic work environment within Williams’ office emerged.
**Jenifer Rajkumar**
Rajkumar launched her campaign for public advocate in January, initially considering a run for comptroller. She has made history as the first South Asian-American woman to serve in the State Assembly. Appointed by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2017, she served as the Director of Immigration Affairs and Special Counsel for the New York Department of State before her election to the State Assembly in 2020.
Rajkumar’s legislative initiatives include efforts to combat illegal smoke shops in NYC and advocating for full protections for domestic workers under the state’s human rights law. She previously sought election for City Council in 2013 and for State Assembly in 2016 with no success. Before her political career, she practiced law focusing on civil rights and served as a political science instructor at CUNY’s Lehman College in the Bronx.
During her campaign, Rajkumar has called for a complete overhaul of the city government, stating it is currently in crisis. She has enjoyed a close working relationship with Adams and served as a senior advisor on his transition team in 2021. However, her campaign faced criticism for a controversial advertisement portraying Williams in a negative light, which Williams has labeled as racially insensitive.
In a recent debate, Rajkumar highlighted her main priorities: mental health, public safety, and affordability. Williams, in response, accused Rajkumar of lacking understanding of the public advocate’s duties, which she deemed a misogynistic remark.
**Marty Dolan**
Dolan is currently running the least successful campaign among the three candidates. He previously campaigned against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the 2024 Democratic primary for her Congressional seat but lost significantly by 64 percentage points. His background includes experience as a financial analyst, which he aims to apply to public office. Dolan has positioned himself as a candidate for significant change, urging voters to remove established figures such as Adams and Williams from office.
In announcing his campaign for public advocate, Dolan expressed concern over perceived incompetence in City Hall and criticized what he calls a “dishonest Socialist mentality” prevalent among current leaders, claiming it has negatively impacted New Yorkers.
During his Congressional run, Dolan advocated a simplistic approach to local leadership, suggesting local officials should refocus their efforts away from global issues like the war in Gaza. Should Dolan win the public advocate position, it would be his first elected role.
As the June 24 primary date approaches, the candidates are intensifying their campaign efforts, each presenting distinct visions for the future of New York City and its governance.
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