Progressive activist Ady Barkan and the Be A Hero Action Fund on Wednesday will endorse New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for governor alongside his preferred runningmate for lieutenant governor, activist Ana Maria Archila. 

The endorsement is being rolled out with a long-form video of Barkan, a prominent advocate for liberal causes, including immigrant rights and health care. 

The endorsement is also the first state-level nod from his group Be A Hero Action Fund. 

"In 2010, when I graduated law school and went to work at Make the Road New York, in the Jackson Heights office on Roosevelt Ave, Ana Maria Archila was there leading the organization, fighting passionately for the dignity of immigrants every day," Barkan said. "In 2018, when I was in the halls of Congress getting arrested with the women speaking up against Brett Kavanaugh, it was Ana Maria who blocked the elevator and demanded that Jeff Flake recognize the pain and humanity of the victims of sexual violence."

Williams is challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul in the June 28 Democratic primary for governor alongside U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi. Archila is running in the lieutenant governor primary, facing former New York City Councilmember Diana Reyna. 

Barkan's nod for the progressive ticket comes days after state lawmakers and Hochul reached an agreement on a $220 billion state budget that included a provision to provide health insurance coverage for undocumented New York residents age 65 and older, but did not provide full coverage to low-income undocumented residents. 

“As we emerge from the pandemic, it’s never been more clear that universal healthcare is absolutely necessary, so we need our leadership in Albany to act now," Williams said. "I’m honored to have the endorsement of Be a Hero, and as Governor, I will fight to ensure that all New Yorkers—regardless of income or immigration status— have the fundamental right to quality, universal healthcare for all."