What does New York’s public advocate do? And who is challenging current Public Advocate Jumaane Williams? Here’s the lowdown.
by Rachel Holliday Smith June 16, 2021, 1:16 p.m. Oct. 13, 2023, 3:07 p.m.
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Unlike many of this year’s political contests, the contest for public advocate isn’t a race for an open seat — and the incumbent was elected only a short time ago.
Our guide is here to make your decisions easier, with details on candidates, the jobs they’re running for, how to use the new ranked-choice voting system and more.
Jumaane Williams, a former City Council member from Flatbush, Brooklyn, won the office in a special election in February 2019, then again in the general election later that year.
While it’s typically a four-year term, he’ll have to compete yet again this year to keep the seat — since the last election only allowed him to run out the final time in former public advocate Letitia James’ term, after she became state attorney general.
Here’s what you need to know about who’s challenging him — and what a public advocate does, exactly. We’ll update this guide as the race moves forward:
The public advocate is an official watchdog for the city. You can think of the role as a sort of critic, or ombudsman, for city policies and priorities — as well as for any bad actors the office sees fit to call out.
The office of the public advocate looks into complaints from New Yorkers about all kinds of things — from city programs or agencies to tenant gripes about private landlords — and raises awareness on issues through written reports, research studies, news conferences, lawsuits, even rallies and protests.
For example: The office has kept a list of the city’s “Worst Landlords” (measured by building complaints and violations) as a way to advocate for tenants.
The public advocate can also affect legislation in the city. The office-holder has no vote in the City Council, but can introduce bills or co-sponsor them with members.
Critically, the public advocate is also first in line to City Hall should the mayor become unable to fulfill the duties of the office.
Two public advocates — Mark Green and Bill de Blasio — later became their party’s nominee for mayor. One of them won.
The city’s Campaign Finance Board put together this video that explains the potential and power of the public advocate’s office:
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