State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar — a detailed ally of Mayor Eric Adams — formally introduced her not-so-secret run for comptroller on Monday.
The Queens Democrat, who beforehand confirmed she was eyeing a bid for the citywide seat, unveiled the information in a brief video posted on-line alongside the launch of her marketing campaign web site.
“I’m in it for the New Yorkers who toil 25 hours a day, eight days per week, and might’t afford life-saving well being care or high quality schooling,” Rajkumar says within the marketing campaign clip.
“Authorities inefficiency prices lives.”
Incumbent Comptroller Brad Lander — who has used the place as a thorn within the mayor’s aspect — not too long ago introduced he can be difficult Adams in subsequent yr’s Democratic mayoral major.
Rajkumar will seemingly face off in opposition to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who final week signaled an curiosity within the comptroller place — after switching the workplace he’s looking for with the New York Metropolis Marketing campaign Finance Board.
“No formal, huge splash announcement but,” he instructed The Submit after submitting the paperwork.
Levine mentioned that if he was to make a comptroller run official, he’d let his legacy as borough president communicate for itself — fairly than criticize potential opponents.
“I anticipate there’ll be many candidates on this race. I’m simply pleased with my very own file, having helped town get by means of COVID, having handed proper to council for tenants going through eviction, having actually been a daring voice on reasonably priced housing, now as borough president, and I’m going to proceed to guide for New Yorkers,” he mentioned.
When requested whether or not he’d take an identical tactic as Rajkumar — who has made herself a relentless presence by mayoral bulletins, even exterior her district — Levine mentioned he solely attends press conferences he “believes in.”
“I don’t attend press conferences that I don’t imagine in and that I don’t really feel keen about,” he mentioned.
However he careworn that Rajkumar was a “pal” and that she’s “doing a fantastic job.”
Rajkumar has been dropping hints about her bid for comptroller for months, prompting questions from political insiders about how she meant to make use of the place — often seen as a foil to the mayor — given their “shut friendship.”
Others mentioned their relationship — with Rajkumar telling The Submit she speaks to Adams at the very least twice day by day — may give her a bonus throughout her marketing campaign.
“New Yorkers don’t prefer to see their leaders squabbling and combating,” she mentioned in an unique sit-down interview final month after opening a marketing campaign account to run for the fiscal watch canine place.
Metropolis Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan can be rumored to be eyeing the place, in accordance with sources near the Brooklyn pol.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso was additionally rumored to be eyeing the position, however instructed Pix11 that he’s staying put.
“I’m not going to hitch the musical chairs anymore, I used to be contemplating it, however I’m staying put,” he mentioned whereas asserting his intention to hunt reelection as borough president.
In the meantime, with Levine contemplating the place of comptroller, Manhattan Council Member Keith Powers made his intentions to run for borough president clear over the weekend.
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