ALBANY — New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams has filed his paperwork with the state Board of Elections to establish a campaign committee for the governor’s race, according to state filings.
Williams, a progressive, is the second Democrat to formally establish a campaign committee, following Gov. Kathy Hochul. If there is a primary, it is scheduled for June. 
Williams had announced in late September that he was exploring a run for governor.
Williams, a progressive, filed for his gubernatorial campaign on Oct. 18. He also formed a campaign committee on the same day. He would still need to collect the required number of signatures to get onto the ballot, which would formalize his run for the office.
Recent Siena and Marist polls show Williams lagging behind Hochul and state Attorney General Letitia James in a hypothetical primary among Democratic voters. Williams polled better in New York City, where he has greater name recognition and visibility. 
Williams has been touring across the state as he looks to increase his visibility and ties with upstate communities. 
James has not entered the race, as of Wednesday morning, but is being watched closely by political observers and many expect her to officially enter the race. Also looming over the race is the $18 million of campaign cash former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has in his coffers, and whether he would either consider a run himself or use that money to help another candidate.
 
 
Joshua Solomon is a member of the Capitol Bureau team for the Times Union. He is from Queens, has spent time reporting in western Massachusetts, suburban Florida and now is back in New York. Solomon can be reached at joshua.solomon@timesunion.com or 518-454-5353. 

Trending

Most Common QR Activation Code 001-$wag$-sfap49glta4b7hwyl5fsq-3802622129

source