NEW YORK — New York Metropolis Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is exhibiting public assist for state Sen. Zellnor Myrie’s motion on gun violence as Myrie campaigns to interchange Mayor Eric Adams.
The far-left Democrat joined Myrie within the senator’s Brooklyn district Wednesday morning to advertise two gun-safety payments. On the similar time, Williams blasted Adams as FBI probes engulfed his administration.
“The best way he’s dealing with it’s making the whole lot a lot, a lot worse,” Williams stated of the mayor.
Whereas Williams has not endorsed anybody within the mayor’s race, his presence at Myrie’s Brooklyn announcement marked a robust exhibiting of assist from one of many metropolis’s prime elected officers.
The general public advocate spoke positively of Myrie’s work to curb gun violence by pushing for state and native laws on the difficulty.
He additionally advised POLITICO he’s centered on successful his personal major earlier than endorsing anybody within the race for mayor.
“I haven’t actually delved into the 2025 election,” he stated. “I’ve been attempting to ensure my joint is alright. However I’m very involved about this metropolis proper now.”
Williams’ assist is usually coveted: He’s a relatively popular citywide official with ties to vote-rich sections of Brooklyn and the progressive political motion.
Although he and the centrist Adams typically disagree on substance, Williams at occasions confirmed an affinity for the mayor.
Wednesday’s press convention with Myrie comes as Adams confronts a sprawling disaster.
Up to now two weeks, federal brokers have raided the properties or taken the telephones of at the very least 5 prime Metropolis Corridor officers. Two FDNY hearth chiefs have been arrested, and two prime administration officers — the police commissioner and lead legal professional — have resigned.
Since then, at the very least two Metropolis Council members and three state legislators have known as on the mayor to resign, although the quintet had already been fiercely important of Adams since he took workplace.
As public advocate, Williams could be first in line to take over as mayor if Adams left his publish.
Each Williams and Myrie didn’t name for Adams to step down. Williams stated he desires to see Adams place his prime officers on go away till the info of the investigation are identified.
“I believe that’s a choice for the mayor to make,” Myrie stated when requested if the mayor ought to resign.
As Myrie charts his run for mayor, he must take care of restricted title recognition and a crowded major discipline.
New York Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander and his predecessor, Scott Stringer, and Queens state Sen. Jessica Ramos have jumped into the race. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo can be eyeing a run.
Myrie’s press convention befell steps from the place 5 individuals have been shot throughout a West Indian Day parade each Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul had marched in simply hours earlier. A kind of individuals died.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, Metropolis Council member Crystal Hudson and different state lawmakers additionally joined Myrie on Wednesday.
The Albany lawmaker, who made a thinly veiled critique of Adams throughout a church go to Sunday, is hoping the state Legislature can go a measure that goals to expand the definition of a mass shooting to permit for higher emergency funding after gun violence incidents. A second gun violence invoice he’s sponsoring would establish an office of gun violence within the state.
“We’d like an all-hands-on-deck resolution to this drawback that we’re affected by,” Myrie stated.
