Public Advocate Jumaane Williams Pushes for Comptroller Brad Lander to Step Aside as Mayoral Race Heats Up

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams Pushes for Comptroller Brad Lander to Step Aside as Mayoral Race Heats Up

Edited by: TJVNews.com

As the potential political fallout from Mayor Eric Adams’ federal corruption charges looms, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is positioning himself for a critical role in the future of New York City’s leadership. According to a report in The New York Post, Williams has been urging City Comptroller Brad Lander to drop his bid for mayor should Adams be forced out of office. While Williams has made it clear he doesn’t plan to run against the indicted Adams in next year’s Democratic primary, he has also signaled to allies—including Lander—that he will fight to keep the mayoral position if it is handed to him before the 2024 race.

“There’s no chance Lander runs if Jumaane runs,” a prominent Democratic campaign operative told The New York Post. This insider’s assessment sheds light on the understanding that Williams, who has long garnered support from the same far-left and socialist base as Lander, would easily secure their loyalty if he takes on the role of interim mayor. Sources indicate that Lander, though frustrated by the situation, is beginning to realize that stepping aside may be inevitable if Adams resigns or is removed from office.

The City Charter outlines a clear path for succession should Adams be ousted: the public advocate automatically takes over as mayor until a special election is held 80 days later. This nonpartisan special election would determine who serves out the remainder of Adams’ term, which expires at the end of 2025. If Williams steps into the mayoral seat, sources tell The New York Post that he would likely secure support from the same progressive voters that Lander’s campaign is banking on—voters loyal to the Working Families Party and other left-leaning coalitions.

For Lander, this presents a significant dilemma. His ambitions for the mayoral seat are built on the support of the same base that would likely rally behind Williams, making it difficult for him to compete if Williams enters the race. According to The New York Post report, insiders suggest Lander is beginning to understand that he will have to withdraw if Williams becomes interim mayor, even if he is not happy about it.

Complicating matters further is the potential candidacy of State Attorney General Letitia James. As per the information provided in The New York Post report, James has received calls from some top Democrats urging her to run for mayor, particularly if Adams resigns. However, insiders believe it is unlikely that James will challenge Williams if he steps into the mayoral seat. James, like Lander, draws from the same far-left Democratic base, and political strategists say it would be crucial for this wing of the party to coalesce around one candidate—either Williams, Lander, or James—to mount a successful challenge against any moderate Democrat who might run.

One such moderate Democrat is former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is reportedly eyeing a political comeback after his 2021 resignation amid sexual misconduct allegations that he denies. The New York Post reported that Cuomo’s potential candidacy could siphon off much of Adams’ moderate Democratic base, making it even more critical for the party’s progressive wing to unite behind a single candidate.

If Lander is forced to abandon his mayoral aspirations, it is widely expected that he would seek re-election as comptroller in 2025, a move that could dramatically impact multiple Democratic primaries. The New York Post report noted that Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan have both expressed interest in running for comptroller. However, their campaigns are unlikely to proceed if Lander remains in the race, leaving the comptroller’s position largely uncontested within the Democratic Party.

For now, Lander has not publicly responded to the pressure from Williams or the shifting political landscape. A spokesperson for Williams, however, issued a statement to The New York Post emphasizing that the public advocate is focused on his current responsibilities and remains ready to ensure “the continuity of government in any eventuality,” while continuing to work closely with Lander.

As Mayor Eric Adams vows to fight the corruption charges and seek a second term, the uncertainty surrounding his future has triggered intense jockeying among potential successors. While Williams has positioned himself as a key player in the event of Adams’ ousting, The New York Post report highlighted that the prospect of a special election would create a highly competitive environment, with figures such as Williams, Lander, and potentially even Cuomo vying for control of the city’s future.

For now, Williams’ primary focus appears to be on consolidating the progressive vote. With Lander and James both drawing from the same far-left base, Williams is using his influence to quietly but firmly push his potential rivals out of the race. As the situation continues to evolve, the next few months will be critical in determining whether Williams can secure a clear path to becoming New York City’s next mayor, should the opportunity arise.

In the meantime, the political landscape remains fluid, with many possible outcomes depending on the fate of Mayor Adams and the strategic decisions of key players like Williams, Lander, and James. As The New York Post reported, Williams is prepared to defend his claim to the mayoralty if Adams steps down, but whether his rivals will fall in line remains to be seen.