BLOOMBERG (NEW YORK) — Jumaane Williams, New York City’s public advocate, has for nearly six months been on alert for a call that could come at any time.
The 48-year-old is in a unique position: Many New Yorkers don’t know who he is, or that the role of public advocate even exists, but he may be on the cusp of becoming the city’s leader.
If the embattled Mayor Eric Adams resigns or is removed from his post, Williams — a former city council member — is next in line to succeed him. Until September, when Adams became the first sitting mayor in modern New York City history to be indicted on federal criminal corruption charges, the city’s line of succession had rarely been considered — in 360 years, only two mayors have ever resigned…