UPDATE, OCTOBER 2021: Here is who will be on your general election ballot for Public Advocate:
Democratic - Jumaane D. Williams
Republican - Dr. Devi Elizabeth Nampiaparampil
Conservative - Anthony L. Herbert
Libertarian - Devin W. Balkind
Save Our City - Dr. Devi Elizabeth Nampiaparampil
Independent - Anthony L. Herbert
Previous pre-primary story:
The race for public advocate in 2021 is relatively quiet in an otherwise noisy election season, with much of New York City’s political leadership up for grabs. That’s in part because the incumbent, Jumaane Williams, is running for re-election.
As a quick refresher, here's what a public advocate does — they operate as a human 311, a clearinghouse for residents’ concerns, and a watchdog over city agencies. They can introduce legislation but don’t have a vote in the City Council. With a small budget and staff, their power comes from the public podium; several have used the job to get elected to a higher office such as the current Attorney General Leticia James and Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Williams won his seat via a special election in February 2019 and another election that fall to serve out James’s term, and now he’s facing challengers from the previous contest in the upcoming Democratic primary, scheduled for June 22nd.
Here’s a quick snapshot of each candidate:
Theo Chino
Chino, 46, is a self-described bitcoin entrepreneur, who previously ran for public advocate in the 2019 special election but was disqualified due to ballot issues. He’s been vocal on the issue of free public transportation, to the point of disrupting a press conference on discounted fares two years ago, and supports city efforts to increase transparency and oversight of NYPD’s surveillance technology. If elected, Chino said he also would support efforts to fix the MTA and improve housing for New Yorkers.
Personal: Originally from France, Chino is a member of the French Socialist Party and joined the Democratic Socialists of America in 2018.
Fast fact: Chino co-founded Rep My Block, a community-led campaign assisting New Yorkers running for county committees.
Gwen Goodwin
Goodwin, 59, is an education and housing advocate based in East Harlem. A contender in the special election for public advocate in 2019, she also ran for City Council in 2009 and 2013. Goodwin is known for her work saving P.S. 109 from demolition in 2005 and pressing Lexington Houses to turn on the gas power that had been off for two months in 2013. If elected, she wants to fight for tenant protection and rent regulation for both NYCHA and citywide residents, as well as preserving historic buildings.
Personal: She has been a resident of East Harlem for over three decades.
Fast Fact: Goodwin created A Breath of Fresh Air Campaign, which sent 400 firefighters and first responders from 9/11 to mini-vacations in Cape May.
Anthony Herbert
Herbert is a former chief of staff for a City Council member who has run for public office several times, most recently in the special election for public advocate. A long-time advocate for NYCHA residents, Herbert has been the executive community member of the NAACP-NYCHA chapter. Herbert unsuccessfully ran in 2012 and 2014 for the State Assembly seat representing parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Ocean Hill, Crown Heights. He hosted a radio show called “The Morning Stretch.”
Personal: According to his campaign website, Herbert became homeless as a teenager due to gentrification in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.
Fast Fact: Herbert said he came to politics after working in the nightlife industry where he met politicians who encouraged him to advocate for his community.
Jumaane Willams
Willams, 46, is currently serving the remainder of James’s term as public advocate. Before that he was a member of the City Council from 2009-19, representing District 45 in central Brooklyn, where he worked on public safety, police, and housing issues. Williams, who identifies as a Democratic Socialist, ran a strong campaign for lieutenant governor in 2018, winning endorsements from both Bernie Sanders and The New York Times but ultimately losing to incumbent Kathy Hochul.
As public advocate, Williams introduced legislation to the City Council on housing and criminal justice issues as well as published reports on topics such as the mental health crisis and the chronic underfunding of CUNY. He was a vocal and visible presence during the protests against police brutality and racism this past summer in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Personal: Williams was diagnosed with Tourette’s and ADHD as a child. He went on to graduate from Brooklyn Technical High School and Brooklyn College, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Fast Fact: Williams was listed as #22 on the City & State’s 2021 New York City Power 100.
