State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, a close ally of Mayor Eric Adams, opened an exploratory committee to run for New York City Comptroller Saturday.
The move is the first step toward potentially setting up a bruising 2025 primary for between the Queens Democrat and Brad Lander, who currently holds the job as the city’s top fiscal steward.
“We have the most expensive health care system in the world, the largest education system in the country and New York City is the largest metropolitan economy on the globe,” Rajkumar told The Post.
“And yet hardworking New Yorkers who work 25 hours a day 8 days a week and pay some of the highest taxes in the country are not able to get lifesaving healthcare, quality education or adequate transportation.”
“There is not enough return on investment or government accountability. This government inefficiency is costing lives. I can fix it, and that is why I am exploring a run for New York City Comptroller.”
Rajkumar has been meeting with unions bosses, faith leaders and Democratic power-brokers to explore the effort.
Lander, a far-left progressive, has caused controversy for tying city pensions to investments that prioritize environmental, social and governance issues, which pursue woke social justice causes ahead of maximizing shareholder value.
The contest may not happen at all however, should Lander challenge Adams himself in a mayoral primary — which The Post previously reported he was planning to do.
The 2025 NYC Democratic primary is scheduled for June 24, with the general election on Nov. 4.