Jenifer Rajkumar
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jenifer Rajkumar
| image = Jenifer Rajkumar (3-2-2023).png
| caption = Rajkumar in 2023
| state_assembly = New York
| district = 38th
| term_start = January 1, 2021
| term_end =
| predecessor = Michael G. Miller
| successor =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|9|1}}
| birth_place = Tarrytown, New York, U.S.
| party = Democratic
| education = Hackley School
| alma_mater = University of Pennsylvania (BA)
Stanford University (JD)
| signature = Jenifer Rajkumar Signature.png
| website = {{URL|jeniferforny.com|Campaign website}}
{{URL|https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Jenifer-Rajkumar|State Assembly website}}|
}}
Jenifer Rajkumar (born September 1, 1982) is an American politician and civil rights lawyer{{Cite web |title=Jenifer Rajkumar - Assembly District 38 |url=https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Jenifer-Rajkumar |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=nyassembly.gov}} serving as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 38th district. A Democrat, she represents the Queens neighborhoods of Glendale, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, and Woodhaven.
She is the first South Asian-American, Indian-American and Hindu-American woman ever elected to a New York State Office.{{Cite web |title=Lehman Professor Makes History as First South Asian Woman Elected to State Assembly |url=https://www.lehman.edu/news/2020/Lehman-Professor-Makes-History-as-First-South-Asian-Woman-Elected-to-State-Assem.php |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=www.lehman.edu |language=en}} Rajkumar is known as the “Lady in Red” for her frequent public appearances in red attire.{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Craig |last2=Brown |first2=Haley |date=2025-01-27 |title='Lady in Red' Jenifer Rajkumar announces campaign for NYC public advocate |url=https://nypost.com/2025/01/27/us-news/lady-in-red-jenifer-rajkumar-announces-campaign-for-nyc-public-advocate/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |language=en-US}} In January 2025, Rajkumar announced her campaign for New York City Public Advocate calling for a "complete overhaul of city government" and "a new brand of public service.{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Craig |last2=Brown |first2=Haley |date=2025-01-27 |title='Lady in Red' Jenifer Rajkumar announces campaign for NYC public advocate |url=https://nypost.com/2025/01/27/us-news/lady-in-red-jenifer-rajkumar-announces-campaign-for-nyc-public-advocate/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-27 |title=A New Brand of Public Service: Why I’m Running for Public Advocate |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/sponsors/sponsor-content/2025/01/new-brand-public-service-why-im-running-public-advocate/402508/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=City & State NY |language=en}} Rajkumar was known as one of Mayor Eric Adams' closest allies in the New York State Legislature,{{cite web|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2023/08/highly-visible-alliance-between-assembly-member-jenifer-rajkumar-and-mayor-eric-adams/389690/|title=The highly visible alliance between Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and Mayor Eric Adams|date=August 24, 2023|access-date=February 20, 2025|last=Pretsky|first=Holly|website=City & State}}{{cite web|url=https://qns.com/2024/09/assembly-member-rajkumar-breaks-silence-on-mayor-adams-indictment-defends-due-process-amid-calls-for-resignation/?ref=hellgatenyc.com|title=Assembly Member Rajkumar breaks silence on Mayor Adams’ indictment, defends due process amid calls for resignation|quote="given her omnipresence alongside the mayor at press conferences across the city. Being spotted in her signature red dress at events far outside her Woodhaven district raised eyebrows and questions. "|date=September 27, 2024|access-date=February 20, 2025|last=Shkurhan|first=Iryna|website=QNS.com}}{{cite web|url=https://hellgatenyc.com/all-too-well-rajkumar/|title=Jenifer Rajkumar and Eric Adams Had Something Special. No More|last=Ridlin-Nadler|first=Max|date=February 19, 2025|access-date=February 20, 2025|website=Hell Gate NYC}}{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2024/07/14/us-news/lady-in-red-ny-assemblywoman-jenifer-rajkumars-potential-comptroller-run-raises-eyebrows/|title=‘Lady in red’ NY Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar’s potential comptroller run raises eyebrows over Adams ties|last1=Bhole|first1=Aneeta|last2=Troutman|first2=Matt|date=July 14, 2024|access-date=February 20, 2025|website=New York Post}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/08/nyregion/adams-lander-mayor-election.html|title=Who’s Running Against Mayor Adams? The Answer May Shape Other Key Races.|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Emma|date=July 8, 2024|access-date=February 20, 2025|website=The New York Times|quote="Jenifer Rajkumar, a state assemblywoman from Queens who is often at Mr. Adams’s side...Ms. Rajkumar, one of the mayor’s closest political allies"}}{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/26/new-york-lawmaker-to-shake-up-citywide-race-for-public-advocate-00200659|title=New York lawmaker to shake up citywide race for public advocate|date=January 6, 2025|access-date=February 20, 2025|last=Coltin|first=Jeff|website=Politico|quote="Rajkumar, a centrist Democrat,is one of Adams’ closest allies in the state Legislature and regularly appears at his public events far outside her central Queens district."}} but she declined to endorse him for re-election.{{cite web |title=Eric Adams has been indicted. Who is calling on him to resign? |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2024/09/who-calling-eric-adams-resign/399570/ |website=City & State |access-date=29 May 2025 |date=25 September 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Beeferman |first=Jason |date=2025-02-07 |title=Rajkumar differs with Adams on key priority |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook-pm/2025/02/07/jenifer-rajkumar-eric-adams-red-dress-events-assemblymember-00203153 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Jenifer Rajkumar talks turmoil at City Hall and bid for Public Advocate |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/inside-city-hall/2025/02/19/jenifer-rajkumar-talks-turmoil-at-city-hall-and-bid-for-public-advocate |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=ny1.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-19 |title=Jenifer Rajkumar and Eric Adams Had Something Special. No More |url=https://hellgatenyc.com/all-too-well-rajkumar/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Hell Gate |language=en}}
Early life and education
Rajkumar was born and raised in Tarrytown in Westchester County.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2024/07/14/us-news/lady-in-red-ny-assemblywoman-jenifer-rajkumars-potential-comptroller-run-raises-eyebrows/|title=‘Lady in red’ NY Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar’s potential comptroller run raises eyebrows over Adams ties|last1=Bhole|first1=Anita|last2=Troutman|first2=Matt|date=July 14, 2024|access-date=July 16, 2024|website=New York Post}} Her parents are doctors who immigrated from India and first settled in Queens.{{cite news |title=Not Just Jenny From the Block|publisher=The New York Times Blog |url=http://eastvillage.thelocal.nytimes.com/2013/04/10/not-just-jenny-from-the-block-rajkumar-talks-city-council-run/|accessdate=June 15, 2016}}
Rajkumar is a graduate of Hackley School. Rajkumar earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a Juris Doctor from the Stanford Law School of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
Career
Rajkumar previously practiced law as an attorney and worked as an adjunct professor of political science at CUNY's Lehman College in the Bronx.{{when|date=July 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Lehman Professor Makes History as First South Asian Woman Elected to State Assembly |url=https://www.lehman.cuny.edu/news/2020/Lehman-Professor-Makes-History-as-First-South-Asian-Woman-Elected-to-State-Assem.php |access-date=July 29, 2022 |website=www.lehman.cuny.edu |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Schilling |first=John |date=2023-07-17 |title=Trial Lawyers Association honors Queens lawmaker with leadership award – QNS |url=https://qns.com/2023/07/trial-lawyers-association-honors-rajkumar/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=qns.com |language=en-US}} In 2014, Rajkumar was accused of engaging in "gross plagiarism" by Newman Ferrara LLP in a tenant's rights case, but the motion for disqualification was withdrawn after an agreement between the firm and Sanford Heisler, where Rajkumar served as of counsel.{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/23/public-advocate-candidate-jennifer-rajkumars-role-in-tenant-lawsuit-laced-with-controversy/|title=Public advocate candidate Jenifer Rajkumar’s role in tenant lawsuit laced with controversy|last=Sommerfeldt|first=Chris|date=May 25, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=New York Daily News}}
On February 6, 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Rajkumar as the Director of Immigration Affairs and Special Counsel for the New York Department of State.{{cite news |title=Human Rights Attorney Jenifer Rajkumar Named to New Post in New York Department of State |url=https://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/human-rights-attorney-jenifer-rajkumar-named-to-new-post-in/article_9551acda-102a-11e7-ad9f-53ee1ec8ebea.html |accessdate=May 29, 2020 |publisher=India West}}
In 2020, Rajkumar became the first Indian-American woman ever elected to the New York State Legislature{{cite news |last=Sundaram |first=Arya |date=Jul 6, 2024 |title=NY Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar advances potential city comptroller run |url=https://gothamist.com/news/ny-assemblymember-jenifer-rajkumar-advances-potential-city-comptroller-run |access-date=August 15, 2024 |publisher=Gothamist}} as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 38th district, representing the Queens neighborhoods of Glendale, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, and Woodhaven.
In December 2021, Mayor-Elect Eric Adams appointed Rajkumar as a Senior Advisor on his Transition Team.{{Cite web |last=Kaye |first=Jacob |date=December 3, 2021 |title=Adams announces transition committee members |url=https://queenseagle.com/all/adams-announces-transition-committee-members |access-date=July 29, 2022 |website=Queens Daily Eagle |language=en-US}}
= New York State Assembly tenure =
Assemblywoman Rajkumar led and won passage of her bill establishing Diwali as a School Holiday in New York City Public Schools. Rajkumar also authored and passed the SMOKEOUT Act shutting down illegal smokeshops proliferating around New York.{{Cite web |last=King |first=Nelson A. |date=2024-04-25 |title=Rajkumar declares victory in war against illegal smoke shops – Caribbean Life |url=https://www.caribbeanlife.com/rajkumar-declares-victory-in-war-against-illegal-smoke-shops/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=www.caribbeanlife.com |language=en-US}}
In her first term, Rajkumar passed a legislative package for domestic workers, securing them the full protections of the state human rights law, and expanding their paid family leave benefits.{{Cite web |last=Bardolf |first=Deirdre |date=January 6, 2022 |title=New laws to protect domestic workers |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/south/new-laws-to-protect-domestic-workers/article_c2130592-a13a-5f9a-a2cc-985a497c4a5f.html |access-date=July 29, 2022 |website=Queens Chronicle |language=en}} Governor Hochul signed Rajkumar's legislative package into law in December 2021. Rajkumar also passed a bill expanding benefits for victims of crime, which the Governor signed into law in June 2022.{{Cite web |last=Mohamed |first=Carlotta |date=July 6, 2022 |title=Governor signs Queens lawmaker's bill into law to support and empower victims of crimes – QNS.com |url=https://qns.com/2022/07/queens-lawmakers-bill-support-victims-of-crimes/ |access-date=July 29, 2022 |website=qns.com |language=en-US}}
Rajkumar was appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Diversity in Law. She also serves on the following Assembly Committees: Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Committee on Aging, Consumer Affairs, and Small Business.
Political campaigns
= 2011 District Leader race =
File:Rally Before City Council Hearing on NYU Expansion Plan.jpg
In 2011, Rajkumar was elected female district leader for the 64th district Part C of the New York State Assembly,{{Cite web|title=Indian American Jenifer Rajkumar appointed Director of Immigration Affairs of New York state {{!}} News India Times {{!}} Page 25433|url=https://www.newsindiatimes.com/change-maker/25433/|last=Dutt|first=Ela|date=March 21, 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=May 26, 2020}} defeating 28-year incumbent Linda Belfer with over 70% of the vote.{{cite news |title=You Should Run: Advancing Social Justice by Running for Office|publisher=Harvard Law School|url=http://hls.harvard.edu/event/you-should-run-advancing-social-justice-by-running-for-office/|accessdate=June 17, 2016}}{{Cite web|title=NY State Assembly District 38 in Queens has been overlooked too long: Indian-American candidate Jenifer Rajkumar {{!}} News India Times|url=https://www.newsindiatimes.com/ny-state-assembly-district-38-in-queens-has-been-overlooked-too-long-indian-american-candidate-jenifer-rajkumar/|last=Dutt|first=Ela|date=November 22, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=May 26, 2020}} She was re-elected to that office two more times, in 2013 and 2015.{{cite news |title=Manhattan Democrats District Leaders|publisher=Manhattan Democratic Party|url=http://manhattandemocrats.org/about/district-leaders/|accessdate=June 17, 2016}} As district leader, Rajkumar led the effort to bring M9 bus service back to Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan and has worked closely with Democracy for Battery Park City, an organization which seeks representation for residents of the neighborhood on the board of the Battery Park City Authority.{{cite news |title=District Leader Rajkumar Kicks Off Campaign for Assembly Seat |publisher=The Broadsheet |url=http://www.ebroadsheet.com/district-leader-rajkumar-kicks-off-campaign-for-assembly-seat/ |accessdate=June 17, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Indian American attorney Jenifer Rajkumar at the center of a $100 million lawsuit in New York|publisher=American Bazaar Online|url=http://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2014/04/09/indian-american-attorney-jenifer-rajkumar-center-100-million-lawsuit-new-york/ |accessdate=June 17, 2016}}{{Cite web|title=New Generation of NYC Insurgents Seeks Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Fervor|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-23/new-generation-of-nyc-insurgents-seeks-ocasio-cortez-fervor|date=January 23, 2020|first=Henry|last=Goldman|website=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=May 26, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=South Asians Must Take Advantage Of "NaturalizeNY": Rajkumar {{!}} News India Times|url=https://www.newsindiatimes.com/south-asians-must-take-advantage-of-naturalizeny-rajkumar/|last=Dutt|first=Ela|date=June 12, 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=May 26, 2020}}
= 2013 City Council race =
In 2013, Rajkumar ran for the New York City Council in the Democratic primary in the 1st district in Lower Manhattan, losing to incumbent Margaret Chin.{{cite news|title=Downtown Democratic Council Primary Results|publisher=DNA Info|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130911/chinatown/margaret-chin-wins-big-downtown-democratic-council-primary|accessdate=June 15, 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811152936/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130911/chinatown/margaret-chin-wins-big-downtown-democratic-council-primary|archivedate=August 11, 2016}} Rajkumar won 41.5% of the vote.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/projects/elections/2013/nyc-primary/city_council/results.html|title=2013 New York City Primary Results|newspaper=The New York Times}}{{cite news|url=https://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/jenifer-rajkumar-loses-in-bid-for-manhattan-city-council/article_e5b66127-a12a-59cc-b6c5-0a761002cf75.html|title=Jenifer Rajkumar Loses in Bid for Manhattan City Council|date=September 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930084235/https://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/jenifer-rajkumar-loses-in-bid-for-manhattan-city-council/article_e5b66127-a12a-59cc-b6c5-0a761002cf75.html|archive-date=September 30, 2016|work=India West}} Rajkumar's campaign championed affordable housing and community-friendly development. She was endorsed by various organizations and unions, such as The Sierra Club, and local Allied Craftworkers and Ironworkers groups.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/election/guide-council-district-1-article-1.1442952|title=Your guide to Manhattan Council District 1 — Lower Manhattan|website=nydailynews.com}}
= 2016 State Assembly race =
She ran for the New York State Assembly in the 65th District,{{cite news |last=Perler |first=Elie |date=April 25, 2016 |title=Rajkumar Announces Campaign for Assembly|publisher=Bowery Boogie|url=http://www.boweryboogie.com/2016/04/jenifer-rajkumar-announce-campaign-knock-alice-cancel-65th-assembly-seat/|accessdate=June 15, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925041540/https://www.boweryboogie.com/2016/04/jenifer-rajkumar-announce-campaign-knock-alice-cancel-65th-assembly-seat/|archive-date=September 25, 2021}} as the seat was occupied by Alice Cancel, the winner of a special election on April 19, 2016, to replace Sheldon Silver, who was convicted of corruption and expelled from the Assembly in 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/nyregion/sheldon-silvers-conviction-is-overturned.html|title=Sheldon Silver's 2015 Corruption Conviction Is Overturned|first=Benjamin|last=Weiser|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 13, 2017|publisher=|accessdate=December 28, 2017}} Rajkumar finished second in a six-way Democratic primary; the winner, Yuh-Line Niou, went on to win in the general election in November.{{cite web|url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/2016/09/13/niou-set-to-be-new-assemblymember-for-downtown/|title=Niou set to be new Assemblymember for Downtown – DOWNTOWN EXPRESS|website=www.downtownexpress.com|date=September 14, 2016|accessdate=December 28, 2017}}
= 2020 State Assembly race =
Rajkumar ran in the primary for the 38th New York State Assembly district in Queens, which includes portions of the Glendale, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, and Woodhaven neighborhoods, against incumbent Democrat Michael G. Miller and challenger Joey De Jesus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/politics/campaigns-elections/nyc-assembly-primary-challengers-who-are-raising-big-money.html|title=Assembly primary challengers who are raising big money|date=January 17, 2020|website=CSNY}} Rajkumar was endorsed by California Congressman Ro Khanna in February 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://qns.com/story/2020/02/07/california-congressman-ro-khanna-endorses-jenifer-rajkumar-for-assembly-district-38/|title=California Congressman Ro Khanna endorses Jenifer Rajkumar for Assembly District 38|website=QNS.com}} In May 2020, City & State criticized Rajkumar alongside a slate of other candidates for carpetbagging across multiple primaries and elections.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2020/05/the-carpetbaggers-in-the-2020-primaries/175978/|title=The carpetbaggers in the 2020 primaries|date=May 21, 2020|website=CSNY}}
Rajkumar defeated Miller and De Jesus in the June 2020 Democratic primary and won over Giovanni Perna in the November general election.{{Cite web|last=Parrott|first=Max|title=More insurgents claim primary wins|url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/more-insurgents-claim-primary-wins/article_b3955b10-9975-5f05-bcdc-e9a3394f1e7c.html|website=Queens Chronicle|date=July 23, 2020 }}
= 2025 New York City Public Advocate campaign =
On August 12, 2024, Rajkumar announced her campaign for New York City Comptroller in 2025. On January 27, 2025, she pivoted her campaign to Public Advocate, challenging incumbent Jumaane Williams in the Democratic primary.{{cite web|url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/mornings-on-1/2025/01/27/assemblywoman-jenifer-rajkumar-exits-comptroller-race--launches-public-advocate-campaign|title=Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar exits comptroller race, launches public advocate campaign|last=Brosnan|first=Erica|date=January 27, 2025|access-date=January 27, 2025|website=Spectrum News NY1}}
On April 24, Rajkumar posted a cartoon of herself contrasted with Williams, who was drawn asleep under a screenshot of a 2021 tweet posted by Williams replying to councilmember Joe Borelli about edibles; the meme was slammed as "racist" by political consultants and elected officials including Donovan Richards and Lincoln Restler, who said it perpetuated negative stereotypes of African Americans as drug addicts.{{cite web|url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/rajkumar-gets-heat-for-campaign-comics/article_ca37b55a-50d3-5765-aa24-363dd8c1a67c.html|title=Rajkumar gets heat for campaign comics|last=Guglielmo|first=Kristen|date=May 1, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=Queens Chronicle}}{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2025/04/24/us-news/nyc-lady-in-red-jenifer-rajkumar-roasted-for-racist-meme-that-shows-opponent-as-lazy-pothead-this-feels-desperate/|title=NYC ‘Lady in Red’ Jenifer Rajkumar roasted for ‘racist’ meme that shows opponent as lazy pothead: ‘This feels desperate’|last=McCarthy|first=Craig|date=April 24, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=New York Post}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/indianorigin-politician-slammed-for-sharing-racist-meme-showing-opponent-as-lazy-pothead-101745644039245.html#google_vignette|title=Indian-origin politician slammed for sharing ‘racist’ meme showing opponent as lazy pothead|last=Sengupta|first=Trisha|date=April 25, 2024|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=Hindustan Times}}
Writing for City and State in May, Sophie Krichevsky called the race "weird," calling Rajkumar a long shot based on public polling showing a landslide victory for Williams and describing the race as "an out of the spotlight, lopsided and weirdly acrimonious race with plenty of mudslinging and millions in campaign cash."{{cite web|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/05/weird-public-advocate-race-between-jumaane-williams-and-jenifer-rajkumar/405509/|title=The weird public advocate race between Jumaane Williams and Jenifer Rajkumar|last=Krichevsky|first=Sophie|date=May 22, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=City and State}}
Rajkumar and Williams participated in a debate on June 6 hosted by PIX11, where Rajkumar accused Williams of covering up an active investigation into a former staffer's accusation that she was drugged and assaulted by security detail in the Public Advocate's office and said he should “think about resigning.”{{cite web|url=https://gothamist.com/news/jumaane-williams-and-jenifer-rajkumar-clash-in-fiery-nyc-public-advocate-debate|title=Jumaane Williams and Jenifer Rajkumar clash in fiery NYC public advocate debate|last=Campbell|first=Jon|date=June 5, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=Gothamist}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/06/first-public-advocate-debate-williams-rajkumar-promise-lot-not-very-powerful-office/405868/|title=In first public advocate debate, Williams, Rajkumar promise a lot in a not very powerful office|last=McDonough|first=Annie|date=June 5, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=City and State}}
In the June 24 Democratic primary election, Rajkumar was handily defeated by Williams; placing second with 18.7% of the vote according to unofficial election night results.{{cite web|url=https://gothamist.com/news/jumaane-williams-wins-democratic-primary-for-nyc-public-advocate|title=Jumaane Williams wins Democratic primary for NYC public advocate|last=Brand|first=David|date=June 24, 2025|access-date=June 25, 2025|website=Gothamist}}
Electoral history
| class="wikitable"
!Date !Election !Candidate !Party !Votes !% |
| colspan="6" |New York City Council, District 1 |
|---|
| rowspan="3" | September 10, 2013
| Margaret Chin (inc.) | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 8,846 | align="right" |58.88% |
| Jenifer Rajkumar
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 6,171 | align="right" | 41.07% |
| Write-ins
| | align="right" | 7 | align="right" | 0.05% |
| colspan="6" |New York State Assembly, District 65 |
| rowspan="7" | September 13, 2016
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 2,790 | align="right" |31.42% |
| Jenifer Rajkumar
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 1,701 | align="right" | 19.16% |
| Paul Newell
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 1,425 | align="right" | 16.05% |
| Alice Cancel (inc.)
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 1,108 | align="right" | 12.48% |
| Don Lee
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 995 | align="right" | 11.20% |
| Gigi Li
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 844 | align="right" | 9.50% |
| Write-ins
| | align="right" | 17 | align="right" | 0.19% |
| colspan="6" |New York State Assembly, District 38 |
| rowspan="4" | June 23, 2020
| Jenifer Rajkumar | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 3,817 | align="right" |51.95% |
| Michael G. Miller (inc.)
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 1,851 | align="right" | 25.19% |
| Joseph de Jesus
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 1,668 | align="right" | 22.70% |
| Write-ins
| | align="right" | 12 | align="right" | 0.16% |
| rowspan="3" | November 3, 2020
| Jenifer Rajkumar | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 25,232 | align="right" |72.61% |
| Giovanni Perna
| {{party shading/Republican}} | R/C/Save Our City | align="right" | 9,443 | align="right" |27.17% |
| Write-ins
| | align="right" | 77 | align="right" | 0.22% |
| rowspan="2" | November 8, 2022
| Jenifer Rajkumar (inc.) | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 11,662 | align="right" |97.82% |
| Write-ins
| | align="right" | 260 | align="right" | 2.18% |
| rowspan="2" | November 3, 2024
| Jenifer Rajkumar (inc.) | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 22,718 | align="right" |97.77% |
| Write-ins
| | align="right" | 519 | align="right" | 2.23% |
| colspan="6" |New York City Public Advocate |
| rowspan="4" | June 24, 2025
| rowspan="4" align="center" | Primary{{cite web|url=https://enr.boenyc.gov/OF12CY0PY1.html|title=UNOFFICIAL ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS|date=June 24, 2025|access-date=June 25, 2025|website=New York City Board of Elections}} | Jumaane Williams (incumbent) | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 630,095 | align="right" | 71.3% |
| Jenifer Rajkumar
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 164,968 | align="right" | 18.7% |
| Marty Dolan
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 82,870 | align="right" | 9.4% |
| Write-ins
| | align="right" | 5,375 | align="right" | 0.6% |
Personal life
Rajkumar is a practicing Hindu.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/new-york-state-assemblymember-jenifer-rajkumar-introduces-legislation-to-establish-diwali-as-official-holiday/article_ff1f1762-b54c-11eb-aa04-6f3f4a8ad6dd.html|title=New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar Introduces Legislation to Establish Diwali as Official Holiday|date=May 15, 2021|website=IndiaWest}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{New York State Assembly}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajkumar, Jenifer}}
Category:Politicians from Queens, New York
Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni
Category:Stanford Law School alumni
Category:American politicians of Indian descent
Category:Democratic Party members of the New York State Assembly
Category:Women state legislators in New York (state)
Category:21st-century American women politicians
Category:Asian-American state legislators in New York (state)
Category:People from Battery Park City
Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature