New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams won Tuesday’s special election for public advocate, beating out 16 other candidates for the seat that serves as the city’s watchdog but wields little actual power, according to the Associated Press.

Mr. Williams had more than 110,000, or 33%, of the vote after 9:30 p.m., with 86% of the voting precincts reporting, according to the city’s Board of Election. He has represented neighborhoods in Brooklyn in the city council since 2009, and lost the Democratic primary for New York’s lieutenant governor last year.

“The Public Advocate, the people’s advocate, is a role I’m excited to follow,” he told supporters at his victory party in Brooklyn. “We’re going to hold the powerful accountable.”

Queens City Councilman Eric Ulrich, who ran on a platform as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s “worst nightmare,” came in second place with more than 19% of the votes.

Turnout was low, as the race was the only one on the ballot. Mr. Williams succeeds Letitia James, who vacated the seat Jan. 1 when she became New York state’s attorney general.