Jumaane Williams not ‘seeking’ Hochul post after ‘productive’ meeting with her
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said Wednesday he’s not “seeking” the position of lieutenant governor as Kathy Hochul, who currently holds the post, is set to choose her successor after taking over as governor next week.
Following a “productive” meeting Tuesday with Hochul — whom Williams unsuccessfully attempted to oust in the 2018 lieutenant governor primary — the public advocate declared that he had no interest in serving in the role when Hochul succeeds disgraced Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“The lieutenant governor’s position is not one that I’m seeking,” Williams said on PIX 11 Wednesday morning.
“That’s not a position that I’m seeking.”
Williams, a far-left progressive Democrat, is rumored to be contemplating a run for governor.
Hochul is considering state Sens. Jamaal Bailey of the Bronx and Brian Benjamin of Harlem to serve as her lieutenant governor, The Post reported Saturday. Williams had kind words for the pair of lawmakers, but said he did not discuss them with the current lieutenant governor.
“I know both of those gentlemen very well,” he said. “Those gentlemen do a lot of great work for the city and state.”
Hochul, when asked Sunday about her pick for lieutenant governor, confirmed it would be someone from New York City. She said she’d name her No. 2 “shortly after” she’s sworn in as the state’s chief executive.
On Tuesday, Williams and Mayor Bill de Blasio met with the soon-to-be governor, who is slated to succeed Cuomo on Aug. 24, after his resignation, announced Aug. 10, takes effect. Those conversations were “very productive,” according to Williams.
“She is genuinely interested in moving the state forward, and generally interested in what I had to say, and the solutions that I’ve been presenting for quite some time, and I’m looking forward to the fruits of that conversation in the coming weeks,” he said on PIX.
He added, “We really were focused on what is happening with New Yorkers, and how can folks work together to make sure that things get better in the state.”
The two former rivals discussed COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, gun violence and the state’s botched rent relief program, Williams said.
Asked if he changed his mind about Hochul since criticizing her during his Democratic primary bid against her three years ago, Williams said disagreements don’t “disappear overnight” while striking an optimistic tone about Hochul’s upcoming governorship.
“Obviously, when I ran a few years ago, there were some marked differences in how I felt the state should be run, that position in particular, and my willingness to challenge Cuomo,” he said. “They don’t just disappear overnight.”
Williams said he was hopeful about “closing the chapter” on Cuomo “dropping the ball” on several matters.
“So, from that aspect, we can close the chapter on that, which is exciting,” he said. “I think many folks are excited to get past that.”
Since Cuomo said he will step down following the release of state Attorney General Letitia James’ probe documenting his serial, illegal sexual harassment, Hochul has repeatedly distanced herself from the 63-year-old third-term Democrat.
The day after Cuomo announced his resignation, Hochul at a press conference said it’s “clear” that she and the governor weren’t “close,” and vowed to boot officials and staffers implicated in James’ investigation.
On Sunday, Hochul said it won’t be hard for her to clean up the creepiness and corruption that have plagued Albany during Cuomo’s reign — and said she’ll consider any potential commentary from Cuomo after he leaves office a sideshow that she’ll ignore.
“The governor will do what he chooses to do. I’ll be laser-focused on dealing with COVID, getting our economy back, getting kids back in school, and dealing with a whole host of other challenges that I am prepared for,” Hochul said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“I’m ready for this. I’m ready to lead, and what happens off to the side, I won’t have control over, but it will not distract me.”
Hochul said last week she’ll run for re-election in 2022, after serving out the remainder of Cuomo’s term.
