Letitia James
City Council Member Letitia James (D-Brooklyn) handily defeated state Sen. Dan Squadron (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn) on Tuesday in a surprisingly bitter runoff election for the city’s Public Advocate position.
James’ win, garnering nearly 60 percent of the vote, makes it a near-certainty that she will now become the first African-American woman to be elected to citywide office, as there is no Republican challenger in the Nov. 5 general election.
As predicted, voter turnout was very light, with just under 200,000 of the city’s more than 2.8 million registered Democrats coming out to cast their ballots.
Known as a progressive voice, James, 54, was elected to the City Council in 2003 and won with substantial support from the city’s major labor unions, as well as high profile feminists, such as Gloria Steinem and several women’s organizations.
At a victory party at the Copacabana Club in Manhattan, James spoke about the NYPD’s controversial stop-and-frisk policy in addition to the city’s lack of affordable housing – an issue she promised to tackle head-on during her campaign.
James also noted her place in history as “the first woman of color to hold citywide office.”
In the last few weeks, the campaign had turned especially negative with both candidates accusing each other of taking money from corporate interests as well as pointed, personal attacks.
Squadron, who had the backing of powerful politicians including Sen. Chuck Schumer, had accused James of not disclosing rental income as well as her tax returns while James said Squadron was “living off a trust fund.” He later denied the charge.
Despite the loss, Squadron, 33, vowed to press on fighting for the city in the state Senate.
Dan Squadron
“Although we did not win tonight, I will keep on doing what I’ve always done in public office – fighting for New Yorkers and a city I truly love,” said Squadron, who had landed the backing of a number of Queens Democrats, including state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway).
The Queens Democratic Party, led by U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, Bronx), officially endorsed James last week, with Crowley praising the councilwoman as someone who, “bring with herself compassion I’ve witnessed for 25 years.”
A number of Queens Democrats attended James’ victory party Tuesday night and praised her as the city’s next public advocate. Among those from the borough in attendance were Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) and Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Hollis).
Despite the loss, Squadron immediately threw his support behind James.
“And I know that Tish will be their great advocate for New Yorkers across the city,” he said. “She ran a great campaign.”
In existence since 1993, the office of the public advocate is an ombudsman to give voice to residents’ complaints and concerns. Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio has held the office of public advocate since being elected in 2009.
In light of the expense of the runoff election, which at $13 million vastly exceeded the office’s actual budget of roughly $2 million, both candidates agreed that a move should be made to instant runoff elections, whereby voters rank candidates in preference order, which would eliminate the need for expensive runoffs.
“We ran this campaign making the case that the Public Advocate’s office can be essential to our city – getting results for New Yorkers who need them,” Squadron said.
“For New Yorkers without a voice, without high-powered lobbyists, without City Hall on speed dial. For people with no place else to turn, their families need a strong public advocate.”
By Alan Krawitz
