New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was endorsed Friday by the progressive organization Citizen Action in his bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Williams in an interview with Spectrum News 1 said he expects the endorsement, along with additional nods he's received in the last several days, will help propel the campaign into the state Democratic convention in the coming weeks. 

"I believe people are just now starting to begin, over the next four to eight weeks, starting to pay attention to this race, so getting this momentum at this moment in time couldn't be a better time period," Williams said. "It's going to begin to send a message of a very real alternative to the way things have been operating for a long time."

Williams is getting the endorsement of the group as he challenges incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul for the Democratic nomination. Hochul also faces a challenge from U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi. The party primary is scheduled for June. 

"We really feel that it's important that we have someone in office who really champions those values and is not beholden to the real estate interests, to the pharmaceuticals, to the hedge funds and really put forth the voice of the working class people in this state," said Citizen Action New York President Ivette Alfonso. 

Williams last challenged Hochul in a primary for lieutenant governor in 2018. He has since been elected New York City public advocate; Hochul was elevated to the governor's office in August following the resignation of then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

He is once again running a campaign on progressive themes, pledging to make the state more equitable and address issues ranging from climate change to criminal jusitce.  

"We really have to lean into a vision of who we have to vote for," Williams said. "I keep hearing people want to go back to normal from before the pandemic. Normal didn't work for most New Yorkers, so what I want most New Yorkers to realize is we can't go back to normal. We shouldn't go back to normal."

Hochul, meanwhile, was endorsed by some elected officials in her hometown of Buffalo. Eight members of the city's common council gave her their endorsement. 

“I’m honored to earn the endorsement of these dedicated public servants from my hometown who I’ve worked alongside for many years and represent the core values I hold dear to my administration,” Hochul said. “I look forward to working with the Buffalo Common Council to continue strengthening my hometown, investing in our community, and delivering results for Western New York.”