Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is forming an exploratory committee to mount a Democratic primary challenge to Gov. Kathy Hochul near year– and could publicly announce the move as soon as next week, The Post has learned.
Williams has been calling donors and other political insiders to inform them of his potential candidacy, sources said.
One Democratic insider said Williams was “trying to get out ahead” of potential campaigns by Attorney General Letitia James and outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“He also struggles raising money, so he’s dipping his toe in early to see the reaction,” the source said.
A campaign strategist for James — who commissioned the sexual harassment probe that led former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign in disgrace last month — has been gauging support from her donors for a potential run for governor, CNBC reported earlier this month.
James tried to downplay the report during a news conference last week, saying, “My focus is on my work in the Office of the New York State Attorney General.”
“I enjoy serving in the Office of the New York State Attorney General, and it’s entirely up to the people of the state of New York,” added James, who’s up for reelection next year.
But de Blasio recently hinted that he was going to run for governor when asked if he was “at least considering” it during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
“I want to keep serving in one way or another in the future, so I’m going to look at different options. Absolutely,” he said.
Political consultant Chris Coffey, who ran Andrew Yang’s failed mayoral campaign and was an informal adviser to Cuomo in 2018, said, “There’s going to be a lot of qualified folks in the race, but it’s advantage Gov. Hochul to start.”
“Incumbency matters, even if it’s a short one,” he said.
“That being said, Jumaane ran a terrific race in 2018 and isn’t to be underestimated.”
Coffey added: “Next question: What about Tish?”
In 2018, Williams tried to oust Hochul, then the lieutenant governor, but she easily beat him in the primary, 53.4 percent to 46.6 percent.
That race was much closer, however, than the one between Cuomo and Williams’ running mate, former “Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon, who lost by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.
During their only debate, Williams attacked Hochul as a “rubber stamp” for Cuomo.
Last month, Williams hinted at his aspirations after meeting with Hochul as she prepared to replace Cuomo.
Williams — an outspoken progressive — called the meeting “productive” but said he wasn’t interested in serving as lieutenant governor under Hochul, a moderate, self-described “independent Democrat” from upstate Erie County.
“The lieutenant governor’s position is not one that I’m seeking,” Williams said.
“That’s not a position that I’m seeking.”