Jumaane Williams

Jumaane Williams, as New York City’s public advocate, would become mayor if Eric Adams steps down in the face of criminal indictments in September 2024. Williams would be the first public advocate, a position created in 1993, to become acting mayor. Williams is a staunchly progressive Democrat and a former City Council member. He was elected public advocate in 2019. He ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor the year before and for governor in 2022. Four candidates currently competing against Adams are Brad Lander, the city comptroller; Scott Stringer, a former comptroller; Zellnor Myrie, a state senator from Brooklyn; and Jessica Ramos, a state senator from Queens. They would all be expected to join Williams as candidates in a special election should Adams resign. Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo may also emerge as a candidate in a special election.