Jumaane Williams files to create campaign panel to run for governor

ALBANY — Jumaane Williams, the New York City public advocate, has filed paperwork creating a campaign committee to run for governor, state records show.

Williams, a Democrat, had announced last month he was forming an exploratory committee about a gubernatorial run.

State Board of Elections Records show Williams filed to create a campaign committee last week. The Times Union of Albany first reported the filing.

Creating a committee doesn’t necessarily commit Williams to running, but Tuesday he told WPIX he expected to make an announcement "in the coming days."

If he follows through, it would make Williams, of Brooklyn, the second official Democratic candidate in the race, along with Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Other Democrats weighing runs included state Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Before he was elected public advocate in 2019, Williams ran in a 2018 Democratic primary against Hochul. He lost but garnered 47% of the vote.

In a Twitter post Wednesday afternoon, Williams wrote: "3 years ago when I was exploring a statewide run, I saw enthusiasm all across New York — and heard about shared struggles. Now I’m hearing many of the same struggles, because the same systems are in place. We’re still here fighting, and I’m seeing the same enthusiasm for change."