Jumaane Williams secured reelection Tuesday as the city’s public advocate, quashing a challenge from Jenifer Rajkumar, a moderate state lawmaker known for her strong affiliation with Mayor Adams.
Williams, the heavy favorite going into the race, had secured more than 70% of the vote with 75% of the votes cast, according to results compiled by The Associated Press.
The Working Families Party, which also backed Williams, issued a congratulatory statement shortly after polls closed.
“Our public advocate, Jumaane Williams, is courageous,” the statement read. “He is principled; he is a champion of his native Brooklyn, and of our entire city, and tonight, he defeated the corrupt and compromised interests of past administrations to secure reelection.”
Williams centered his messaging around the threats President Trump poses to the city, especially in his immigration polities, and the affordability crisis.
Rajkumar’s campaign featured attacks against the incumbent, including a highly criticized racially charged cartoon.
She initially mounted a run to become city comptroller. She launched that campaign last August, but she was not a competitive candidate, and she switched to run for public advocate in late January.
The public advocate serves as a city government ombudsman and is a nonvoting member of the City Council, with the ability to introduce legislation. The role is also first in the line of succession to the mayor.
Williams has been a very strong critic of the mayor, while Rajkumar, a Queens assemblywoman, has a reputation for her frequent appearances alongside Adams.
Marty Dolan, a retired insurance executive, was also in the race.
Originally Published: June 24, 2025 at 9:40 PM EDT
