Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar is dropping her campaign for city comptroller to challenge incumbent Jumaane Williams for the role of New York City public advocate.
Rajkumar, a close ally of Mayor Adams, announced the switch-up five months after announcing her campaign to be the city’s fiscal watchdog,
“Our City is facing a crisis of governance and can no longer afford the out-of-touch agenda of extremists like Jumaane Williams,” Rajkumar said in a statement. “Instead, we need proven fighters who will focus on the issues that all New Yorkers care about.”
The Queens lawmaker often appears alongside Adams’ at press conferences, even earning a shoutout in the mayor’s State of the City speech earlier this month.
Rajkumar filed to run for comptroller last summer after incumbent Brad Lander announced he was running for mayor. The controller’s race has gotten competitive, with candidates Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and City Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan both raking in more donations and endorsements.
The assemblymember has about $275,000 in her campaign coffers — more than Williams’ $69,000.
A spokesperson for Williams did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Rajkumar said she would use the role, which is typically a foil to the mayor, to tackle affordability and public safety issues.
Citywide primaries will be held June 24. The public advocate is the next in line of succession to be mayor should the mayor have to step down for any reason.