Unlike many of this year’s political contests, the contest for public advocate isn’t a race for an open seat — and the incumbent was elected only a short time ago.
THE CITY Helps You Navigate the 2021 Elections
Our guide is here to make your decisions easier, with details on candidates, the jobs they’re running for, how to use the new ranked-choice voting system and more.
Jumaane Williams, a former City Council member from Flatbush, Brooklyn, won the office in a special election in February 2019, then again in the general election later that year.
While it’s typically a four-year term, he’ll have to compete yet again this year to keep the seat — since the last election only allowed him to run out the final time in former public advocate Letitia James’ term, after she became state attorney general.
Here’s what you need to know about who’s challenging him — and what a public advocate does, exactly. We’ll update this guide as the race moves forward:
What does a public advocate do?
The public advocate is an official watchdog for the city. You can think of the role as a sort of critic, or ombudsman, for city policies and priorities — as well as for any bad actors the office sees fit to call out.
The office of the public advocate looks into complaints from New Yorkers about all kinds of things — from city programs or agencies to tenant gripes about private landlords — and raises awareness on issues through written reports, research studies, news conferences, lawsuits, even rallies and protests.
For example: The office has kept a list of the city’s “Worst Landlords” (measured by building complaints and violations) as a way to advocate for tenants.
The public advocate can also affect legislation in the city. The office-holder has no vote in the City Council, but can introduce bills or co-sponsor them with members.
Critically, the public advocate is also first in line to City Hall should the mayor become unable to fulfill the duties of the office.
Two public advocates — Mark Green and Bill de Blasio — later became their party’s nominee for mayor. One of them won.
The city’s Campaign Finance Board put together this video that explains the potential and power of the public advocate’s office:
Who is running for public advocate in 2021?
Here are all of the candidates on the ballot in the June 22 primary for Public Advocate, according to Board of Elections records:
Theo Chino (D)
Chino is a French-born bitcoin entrepreneur and system engineer who joined the Democratic Socialists of America in 2018, according to this campaign website. He ran for public advocate in 2019 as a nonpartisan, but was disqualified from appearing on the ballot.
Nampiaparampil, who goes by “Dr. Devi,” is a physician and professor at the NYU School of Medicine and television health commentator.
Anthony Herbert (D)
Herbert is a longtime anti-violence activist, media consultant and government staffer at the federal, state and local levels. Herbert will appear as a Democrat on the June primary ballot and on the Conservative Party and Independent ballot lines in the November general election.
Jumaane Williams (D)
Williams has been public advocate since 2019 and previously served as the City Council representative for Brooklyn’s District 45, which covers Flatbush and surrounding neighborhoods.
The NYC Board of Elections has resources on how to register to vote here, and you can find important dates and deadlines here (state BOE) and here (city BOE).
