2 Brooklyn City Councilmen Want To Be Your Public Advocate

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Two Brooklyn politicians have thrown their hats into the ring for the chance to become the city's next public advocate.

City council members Jumaane Williams and Rafael Espinal announced this week they will run to replace the post left vacant by Letitia James when she begins her term as Attorney General of New York State in 2019.

Williams, the Democrat who represents Flatbush, Midwood and Canarsie, is expect to officially announce his bid, and the endorsement of the Working Families Party, on the steps of City Hall Wednesday morning.

The Working Families Party also backed Williams when he campaigned unsuccessfully against Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.

Espinal, another Brooklyn Democrat who represents Bushwick, Brownsville and East New York, made his announcement Tuesday night in a press release that focused heavily on his progressive credentials, which include his recently passed Night Mayor and 'Footloose' anti-dancing legislation.

Williams' and Espinals' bids come days after yet another Brooklyn City Council Democrat announced, in a surprise move, he would work to eliminate the position of public advocate all together.

Councilman Kalman Yeger and for other council members plan to introduce legislation Wednesday that would get rid of the position, which they criticize as a political stepping stone.

The bill is sure to be unwelcome news to the numerous politicos and activists — such as journalist Nomiki Konst; state Assemblymen Michael Blake and Daniel O'Donnell; Columbia University professor David Eisenbach; political activist Theo Chino; and former Hillary Clinton campaign staffer Dawn Smalls — who would like to claim James' seat.

Photos by Kathleen Culliton