UFT members packed public advocate town halls at the union’s Queens borough office on Dec. 13 and at union headquarters on Dec. 18 to meet and ask questions of the candidates vying to succeed Letitia James as the New York City public advocate. “The public advocate has played a vital role over the years in advocating for public schools in New York City,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. “So we wanted to give members the opportunity to see and hear all the candidates running for the position.” The date of the election will be set once James assumes her new role as state attorney general on Jan. 1. The third and final forum will take place at the UFT’s Brooklyn borough office on Jan. 10 at 4 p.m.