Albany, NY – On Friday afternoon, Albany area elected officials formally endorsed Democrat Jumaane Williams for Lieutenant Governor of New York. Endorsing officials included Albany County Legislators Sam Fein, Doug Bullock, Merton Simpson, Bill Reinhardt, Albany Common Councilmember Joyce Love, and 5th Ward Leader Celeste Knight.
Capital District officials were joined by Citizen Action of New York, who announced their endorsement of Williams on Tuesday, citing his commitment to reforming our broken justice system, expanding voting rights, and advocating for affordable housing and stronger tenant protections.
“I am proud to endorse Jumaane Williams for New York State Lieutenant Governor,” said Albany County Legislator Sam Fein. “Jumaane is a progressive leader who will be a tireless advocate for the people, redefining the role of a Lieutenant Governor. I am inspired by Jumaane’s passion for fighting injustices in our society, such as our broken criminal justice system and inequities in educational outcomes, access to health care, and economic opportunities.”
“Jumanne Williams represents the ideal candidate that the Honorable Marcus Garvey envisioned when he taught us, ‘When all else fails to organize the people, conditions will.’ Jumanne is the perfect people’s candidate for the serious challenges New Yorkers face today. I am totally committed to electing Jumanne Williams as our next Lt. Governor where he will continue his work as a champion for all people,” said Merton Simpson, Albany County Legislator, District 2.
“Jumaane Williams for Lt. Governor represents a truly progressive break with the blue dog policies of the Cuomo Administration and its enabling the IDC in the NYS Senate stopping meaningful legislation,” said Albany County Legislator Doug Bullock. “Jumaane has a long activist history and serves as a New York City Council member. He fights against increasing rents forcing folks out of their homes, inadequate budget aid to city schools, a wider gap between wealthy school districts and those in our cities, and a government in the service of billionaire oligarchs.”
The press conference was held at the site of the proposed fracked gas power plant in Sheridan Hollow, which is supported by Governor Cuomo but strongly opposed by local residents who are concerned about the health and environmental impacts.
“There’s no better example of Cuomo’s doublespeak and neglect of Black and Brown communities than the proposed gas-fired plant in Sheridan Hollow,” said Jamaica Miles, Lead Organizer for Citizen Action of New York. “Neighbors have made it clear that they don’t want the air they breathe polluted with lethal toxins. We are standing with Jumaane Williams because he will hold those in power accountable and speak up for low-income families, Black and Brown families, and all others who have been brushed aside by Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul.”
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