Queens AM Rajkumar explores comptroller bid
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Mayoral-ally and Queens Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar launched an exploratory committee for a potential bid for city comptroller. File photo by Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
By Ryan Schwach
Queens Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, who is perhaps Mayor Eric Adams’ closest elected ally, is exploring a run at the city comptroller’s office.
Originally reported by the New York Post, Rajkumar has launched an exploratory committee for a potential run in 2025’s election cycle for the seat currently held by Brad Lander, a major foil of Mayor Eric Adams.
The South Queens elected who became the first Indian American woman in the state legislature in 2020, has been rumored to be exploring challenging Lander for a few weeks. She told Gothamist over the weekend that she is “seriously considering” challenging the incumbent.
Rajkumar filed the committee with the city on Friday, a move which allows her to begin officially raising money for a potential campaign.
“Government inefficiency is costing lives,” she told Gothamist. “I believe I can fix it.”
She also said that the city needs an “engaged and effective comptroller, who could make positive change across the city.”
Rajkumar represents the Queens communities of Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Woodhaven and Glendale, and for the last several years have aligned herself as a staunch supporter and ally of Adams. She often appears at announcements, events and public appearances alongside the mayor, regardless if the subject is relevant to her district specifically, her role as a Queens state assembly or committee appointments.
Most recently, Rajkumar appeared as a speaker alongside Adams in the days after a city budget agreement was made to laud what the mayor’s budgetary wins.
That appearance in particular drew ire from some in the City Council, who questioned why a state representative with no relevance to the city’s budget negotiations was present for such an announcement.
But Adams has routinely defended Rajkumar’s appearances with him.
In turn, Rajkumar has supported the mayor’s policies, and even defended Adams amid sexual assault allegations last year.
Rajkumar has pushed legislation in Albany directly in tune with Adams’ policy wishlist – including bills that would give the city more power to manage migrant crisis and the crackdown of illegal cannabis.
Should she in fact choose to run for comptroller, Rajkumar will be challenging the far more progressive Lander, who has consistently positioned himself as a political enemy to Adams, who has criticized Lander’s decisions publicly.
Rajkumar and Adams would be running on a pseudo-ticket for the two highest ranking citywide positions, but would still have to run independent campaigns.
Early voting in next year’s primary elections begin on June 14, 2025.
