Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics in his bid for the Democratic nomination for governor, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was endorsed February 4, by the progressive nonprofit Citizen Action. Williams said he believes the endorsement, in addition to other support nnounced last week, will help build some momentum behind his campaign in advance of the state Democratic convention, which begins February 16. "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 challenging 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. Citizen Action New York President Ivette Alfonso said, "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." 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. Williams is pledging to make the state more equitable and address issues ranging from climate change to criminal justice. "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." Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.