Tish James Announces Intention to Run for Public Advocate

Councilwoman Letitia James, D-35th District, told attendees at a meeting of the Forest Hills Civic Association in Queens on Tuesday night that she was "putting forth her candidacy" for Public Advocate in 2013.

"I am considering, assuming I have the ability, assuming that there is a vacancy, meeting all those conditions, of running for public advocate of the city of New York," James said.

James told the Queens audience—some of whom may not have heard of her before—that she anticipates returning to Queens to give her pitch for a citywide position.

"I look forward to the opportunity to come back and discuss with you at a later date, my vision for the office," she said.

James has already launched a campaign website and sent out a fundraising letter.

"People have said to me, 'Tish'—That's my nickname—'Tish, you've already served in that office as a public advocate, an unofficial public advocate and we believe you would make a good public advocate,'" she said last night.

According to the New York Observer's Politicker blog, potential rivals for the job include former Congressional candidate Reshma Saujani and state Sen. Dan Squadron, D-Cobble Hill.

James was first elected to the City Council in a race against the brother of slain Councilman James Davis in 2003 on the Working Families Party line.

Matthew Hampton contributed reporting.