Race for lieutenant governor turns nasty over abortion

The gloves are off in the race for New York lieutenant governor.

Incumbent Kathy Hochul slammed Democratic primary rival Jumaane Williams for having “not consistently supported “ abortion rights in a web video ad released Thursday.

“With President Trump attacking New York every day we must fight back. His recent Supreme Court nominee could end Roe v Wade and a woman’s right to choose. Cynthia Nixon’s running mate Mr. Williams has been socially conservative and has not consistently supported a woman’s right to choose,” Hochul said.

A headline appeared quoting Williams, a Brooklyn councilman, saying in 2013, “I am personally not in favor of abortion.”

Another headline said Williams’ “conservative” personal views were a “deal breaker” sinking his bid to become City Council speaker.

“Now more than ever, New York needs leaders who are 100 percent personally committed to pass pro-choice laws to protect New York from Trump. Governor Cuomo and I always have been and always will be,” the ad concluded.

Williams fired back, noting he was arrested on Tuesday outside Trump Tower during a protest over President Trump’s nomination of conservative jurist Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the US Supreme Court.

“While they were making this video, I was probably in jail after protesting for women’s rights,” Williams told The Post.

Williams also said there’s a double standard when it comes to the abortion issue. For example, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s dad, the late former three-term Gov. Mario Cuomo, said as a Catholic he was personally opposed to abortion but supported a woman’s legal right to terminate a pregnancy.

“When white Catholics speak about their faith, they’re treated one way. When a black Caribbean immigrant speaks of his faith, he’s treated another way,” Williams said.

“Let’s be clear. I support 100 percent a woman’s right to decide to access a safe, legal abortion. That’s what choice is about.”

The attack on Wiliams shows that Hochul and Cuomo are taking the Brooklyn pol’s candidacy seriously, sources said.

Hochul’s campaign said the 38-second web ad is only appearing on social media — at least for now.

Williams welcomed Hochul to discuss abortion and other issues in a debate.

“She has no significant accomplishments to run on. And she has huge issues with immigrants, “ he said, pointing out that Hochul had opposed a plan to provide driver’s licenses to undocumented residents when she was Erie County clerk.

Hochul now supports having the state provide driver’s licenses to residents who came here illegally.