Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar secured a major endorsement in her bid for New York City public advocate on Thursday, May 29, receiving the backing of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), the city’s largest police union.
The PBA, which represents more than 20,000 uniformed NYPD officers, cited Rajkumar’s public safety record and support for police officers as key reasons for its support. Rajkumar is campaigning to unseat incumbent Public Advocate Jumaane Williams in the upcoming June 24 Democratic primary.
“Assemblywoman Rajkumar understands the importance of standing up for public safety and for the hardworking men and women who protect our city,” said PBA President Patrick Hendry. “She knows that the Public Advocate’s job is not to demonize cops or dream up ways to make our job harder. Jenifer has been fighting in Albany to ensure police officers are treated fairly and to give us the tools and support we need to protect our communities.”
Rajkumar, a Stanford Law graduate and former civil rights attorney, is the first South Asian woman elected to the New York State Legislature. She has represented Assembly District 38, which includes parts of Queens, since 2021. In the Assembly, she has sponsored several public safety measures, including the SMOKEOUT Act, aimed at curbing illegal cannabis shops and legislation expanding protections for domestic violence survivors.
“I am honored to have the support of the brave officers who keep our neighborhoods safe,” Rajkumar said. “As Public Advocate, I will continue to fight for a city where working people can live in safety, dignity, and fairness. I will transform the Public Advocate’s Office from a sleepy political stepping stone into a real force for working people and help build a safer, more affordable city for all.”
The Office of the Public Advocate is a citywide elected position that serves as an ombudsman between residents and city government, with the power to introduce legislation, investigate complaints and monitor city agencies. Rajkumar has pledged to expand the office’s legal functions and increase oversight of both city operations and corporate actors, in contrast to what she described as underutilization of the office under its current leadership.
Rajkumar enters the race with a broad coalition of endorsements, including support from labor unions, tenant organizations and immigrant rights groups. Among her other endorsers are Senators Joe Addabbo and Toby Ann Stavisky, several city and state lawmakers, local Democratic clubs and other political leaders across the city.
