Working Families Party endorses primary challenger to New York Gov. Hochul

The New York Working Families Party announced on Tuesday that they would be endorsing New York gubernatorial candidate Jumaane Williams, who is challenging incumbent New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary.

“We’re thrilled to announce our endorsement of @JumaaneWilliams for Governor,” the New York Working Families Party said in a statement on Twitter on Tuesday evening. “Jumaane has been a champion for working New Yorkers since day one. We can count on him to fight for affordable housing, health care for all, and excellent schools.”

Williams said in a statement that he was honored to have their endorsement.

“Throughout my career of taking on the powerful to create change, @NYWFP has been with me on the side of political courage & conviction—not convenience,” Williams said on Twitter. “We’ve fought & won many battles before, & I’m honored to have their support as we work to bring transformational change to NY.”

Williams formally launched his bid for New York governor in mid-November, touting his progressive politics and previous activism on issues such as deportations and aggressive police tactics. A former New York City councilman, Williams has received a handful of endorsements from current City Council members.

He has also been endorsed by Nina Turner (D), a former Ohio state senator who is now running for a House seat in the Buckeye State.

Hochul last month announced she had raised more than $20 million since the onset of her campaign’s launch in August. She is also facing a primary challenge from Rep. Thomas Suozzi, a three-term congressman representing parts of Long Island. 

Hochul announced prior to officially being sworn in following former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) sexual harassment scandal that she would be running for another term as governor. 

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) had previously announced a run for the governor’s mansion, too, but later announced in December that she would be suspending her campaign to instead focus on her current role.