Lander gets the support of Jumaane

City Councilman Brad Lander won the endorsement of Public Advocate Jumaane Williams in his run for comptroller Friday — another boost from a high-profile progressive politician in a race that currently has Council Speaker Corey Johnson leading in the polls.

“We have partnered together as ‘partners-in-safety’ for more than a decade — from fighting Mayor [Mike] Bloomberg’s abuses of stop, question and frisk to marching in the streets night after night last summer in defense of Black lives,” Williams said in a written statement. “I know Brad (photo) will be a strong advocate for New Yorkers as comptroller

— working to hold our city government accountable and rebuild a more equal economy.”

Aside from his perch as public advocate, Williams ran for lieutenant governor in 2018 and for years has been a favored candidate of the Working Families Party, a progressive force in city politics.

His relatively high name recognition among voters, combined with the endorsement, should help Lander in his efforts to solidify a progressive base of support for his comptroller race.

Lander so far has racked up high-profile endorsements from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jerry Nadler and Jamaal Bowman — all New York Democrats — and the Working Families Party.

But recent polls have him trailing behind Johnson, a colleague with whom he’s sparred over a pending paid sick leave bill for gig workers.

Part of Johnson’s current advantage is tied to support he’s lined up from some of the city’s most politically powerful labor unions, which include the Hotel Trades Council, public employee union DC 37 and property service workers union 32BJ.

Williams, who served as a city councilman before becoming public advocate, has had a long working relationship with both politicians.

He and Lander are perhaps best known for their work together pushing for police reforms and taking part in street protests.

“I am deeply grateful for Jumaane’s leadership and friendship, and honored to have his support in my campaign,” Lander said.