NY Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar makes run for city comptroller official

State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar — a close ally of Mayor Eric Adams — officially announced her not-so-secret run for comptroller on Monday.

The Queens Democrat, who previously confirmed she was eyeing a bid for the citywide seat, unveiled the news in a short video posted online along the launch of her campaign website.

“I’m in it for the New Yorkers who toil 25 hours a day, eight days a week, and can’t afford life-saving health care or quality education,” Rajkumar says in the campaign clip.

“Government inefficiency costs lives.”

Incumbent Comptroller Brad Lander — who has used the position as a thorn in the mayor’s side — recently announced he would be challenging Adams in next year’s Democratic mayoral primary.

Rajkumar will likely face off against Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who last week signaled an interest in the comptroller position — after switching the office he’s seeking with the New York City Campaign Finance Board.

“No formal, big splash announcement yet,” he told The Post after filing the paperwork.

Levine said that if he was to make a comptroller run official, he’d let his legacy as borough president speak for itself — rather than criticize potential opponents.

“I expect there’ll be many candidates in this race. I’m just proud of my own record, having helped the city get through COVID, having passed right to council for tenants facing eviction, having really been a bold voice on affordable housing, now as borough president, and I’m going to continue to lead for New Yorkers,” he said.

When asked whether he’d take a similar tactic as Rajkumar — who has made herself a constant presence by mayoral announcements, even outside her district — Levine said he only attends press conferences he “believes in.”

“I don’t attend press conferences that I don’t believe in and that I don’t feel passionate about,” he said.

But he stressed that Rajkumar was a “friend” and that she’s “doing a great job.”

Rajkumar has been dropping hints about her bid for comptroller for months, prompting questions from political insiders about how she intended to use the position — usually seen as a foil to the mayor — given their “close friendship.”

Others said their relationship — with Rajkumar telling The Post she speaks to Adams at least twice daily — could give her an advantage during her campaign.

“New Yorkers don’t like to see their leaders squabbling and fighting,” she said in an exclusive sit-down interview last month after opening a campaign account to run for the fiscal watch dog position.

City Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan is also rumored to be eyeing the position, according to sources close to the Brooklyn pol.

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso was also rumored to be eyeing the role, but told Pix11 that he’s staying put.

“I’m not going to join the musical chairs anymore, I was considering it, but I’m staying put,” he said while announcing his intention to seek reelection as borough president.

Meanwhile, with Levine considering the position of comptroller, Manhattan Council Member Keith Powers made his intentions to run for borough president clear over the weekend.