Earlier this week we reported that City Councilwoman Letitia James has opened a campaign account for a citywide office. She wouldn’t say which one, but it is widely thought that James is considering a run for public advocate.

But while she is raising money for her next run, James is also raising money for her last one.

James sent out an email missive to supporters earlier this week asking them for help to retire old campaign debts.

I now need your financial support to retire campaign debt related to my very successful campaign for City Council in 2009.  This debt was accumulated from my 2009 re-election campaign.  This debt is for costs associated with legal fees related to a routine campaign finance audit.  Please help me retire this debt that has allowed us to get to this point together.

In this economic climate I realize donating $5.00 $10.00 $25.00, $50.00 or $100.00 or more is a great sacrifice.  However, if we are to continue to focus on issues that matter in this community, then I cannot do this without your help.

James raised a relatively modest $57,000 for that campaign, the majority of which came from labor unions (plus $500 she threw in from her own pocket.) James would be a tough candidate for public advocate, assuming she can pull together labor and minority support, but a big question mark remains whether or not she can raise enough money to be competitive.

James makes her case in the rest of the email, printed below:

Dear Supporter:

Before the word “Change” became a mantra in politics, this community built a grassroots movement for new leadership.  It started seven years ago when this community rallied to elect me as a third party candidate to City Council.  With your support our hard work is reflected in every corner of the district.

We have consistently sought to strike a balance in this district in an effort to address the needs of all constituents.  My office has been visible, relevant and accessible. We have been actively involved in every aspect of this district from out of scale development to education.  Working closely with community advocates, we have created opportunities for economic growth, affordable housing and streetscape improvements.

We have passed legislation on issues that include, but are not limited to, quality of life issues, sanitation, rezoning’s, landmark designations, economic development, including, opposing the Atlantic Yards project.  We have been in the forefront on a wide range of issues in NYC.  As Chair of the Contracts Committee, I was the first elected official to investigate a fraudulent contract costing city taxpayers over 80 million dollars, known as City Time.  In addition, as most of you witnessed, as Chair of the Sanitation Committee, I led the City Council during the 2010 snow storm disaster, and have been a force in the city for efforts to advance equal pay for women.   Lastly, I have been leading the fight to restore vital city services in the budget.

Follow David Freedlander via RSS.