New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams' bid for governor, along with the campaign of his preferred running mate Ana Maria Archila, is being endorsed this week by a group of Rochester City Council members and a Monroe County legislator. 

The endorsements from Council Members Kim Smith, Mary Lupien and Stanley Martin, along with that of Monroe County Legislator Rachael Barnhart, come after Williams and Archila announced their platform for safe communities and affordable housing. 

The endorsements also came after Williams was in Rochester to receive the backing of VOCAL-NY Action. 

“New York is in an affordable housing crisis and Rochester residents are no exception,” Williams said. “As rents skyrocket and landlords push people out of their homes, our state must adopt a comprehensive housing solution to address this crisis. I’m proud elected officials in Rochester and Monroe County recognize this need—many of whom have stood by me from the beginning—and will work with us to advance a Housing Justice for All agenda that tackles this crisis head-on.”

Williams is running in a scheduled June 28 gubernatorial primary, facing Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi. Archila is running in the lieutenant governor primary against Diana Reyna, the preferred running mate of Suozzi. Former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned this month following an indictment on corruption charges, but for now, remains on the ballot. 

“The safest communities are the ones that have what they need to thrive. In addition to stopping the flow of guns into our communities, we must make sure that all residents can have safe, affordable, and stable homes,” Archila said. “As lieutenant governor, I will be an independent voice in Albany for affordable housing and the systems of support that every family needs–in Rochester, Monroe County, and across the state."