Letitia James cruises to victory in public advocate runoff
In the 2013 version of the Battle of Brooklyn, a seasoned councilmember won out over a relatively newly minted state senator for the Democratic nomination for New York City public advocate.
In the runoff election held on Tuesday, October 1, Councilmember Letitia “Tish” James – who has represented Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights and Bedford Stuyvesant since 2003 — handily bested State Senator Daniel Squadron, who was elected in 2008 to represent Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, DUMBO, Vinegar Hill, Williamsburg and Greenpoint, as well as portions of lower Manhattan.
The runoff was required because no candidate snagged 40 percent of the vote in the September 10 primary. This time around, James – who led in September as well – scored 59.4 percent of the vote, compared to Squadron’s 40.6 percent. With low turnout (only 187,000-plus Democrats bothered to come out), James unofficial vote total was 111,654; Squadron’s was 76,223, according to the New York City Board of Elections.