Jumaane Williams Wins NYC Public Advocate Special Election

March 4th, 2019

City Councilman Jumaane Williams beat 16 other candidates to win the special election held for New York City Public Advocate. The special election was a result of the vacancy left by now State Attorney General Tish James. In the interim, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson was serving in a dual capacity as both Council Speaker and Public Advocate. Jumaane Williams was seen as the likely favorite for the post, coming off a spirited campaign for Lt. Governor that ended up being closer than projected. The race was crowded however, and many refrained from handicapping as turnout in a February special election was anyone’s guess. Coming in second place was the only Republican in the race, Eric Ulrich, a councilman from Queens and a staunch supporter of the scuttled Amazon deal.