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NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the New York City public advocate race (all times local):
9:50 p.m.
Democrat Jumaane Williams has won a special election to serve as New York City's public advocate.
The City Councilman from Brooklyn defeated 16 other candidates Tuesday to win an office that holds little power but can serve as a stepping stone to higher office.
Williams is a former tenant organizer who has served on the City Council since 2009.
The seat was vacated by the election of former public advocate Letitia James to the position of state attorney general.
The public advocate functions as city ombudsman. The advocate can investigate citizen complaints about agencies and services but has no subpoena power.
Williams will have to compete again in a June primary and a November general election if he wants to serve as public advocate past the end of 2019.
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10 a.m.
New York City voters are set to choose the next public advocate.
Tuesday's special election is to fill the seat vacated by the election of former public advocate Letitia James to the position of state attorney general.
Seventeen candidates are running, including Democrats Jumaane Williams, the city councilman who ran an unsuccessful but respectable race against the state's incumbent lieutenant governor last year, and former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.
State Assemblyman Michael Blake and City Council Member Rafael Espinal, Jr. are also in the mix, as is the only Republican in the race, Queens City Councilman Eric Ulrich.
The winner will have to compete again in a June primary and a November general election if she or he wants to serve as public advocate past the end of 2019.
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