Controversial Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg is closely favored to win re-election subsequent 12 months regardless of being seen as comfortable on crime — and critics say that might make New York Metropolis a laughing inventory.
No Democrat has emerged to this point to problem Bragg within the June 25 Democratic main.
Republicans will area a reputable candidate, mentioned state GOP Chairman Ed Cox — however pundits predict that any GOP nominee will nonetheless face daunting odds in liberal Manhattan, even with Bragg’s repute as being comfortable on quality-of-life and avenue crimes.
Some analysts added that New York shall be a nationwide joke if Bragg, who has been in workplace a turbulent three years, coasts to re-election.
“The Democrats have lost their minds,” veteran political guide Hank Sheinkopf mentioned of the DA’s supporters. “Bragg’s re-election will tell the rest of the country that New Yorkers are crazy and we don’t punish people who endanger police officers and citizens.”
Even in closely blue California, fed-up voters tossed out lefty like-minded DAs: ex-San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin in 2022 and Los Angeles DA George Gascon and Alameda County prosecutor Pamela Value on Nov. 5.
“Even San Francisco has been normalized compared to New York,” Sheinkopf mentioned.
Ken Frydman, a longtime rep for NYPD unions, mentioned, “I’m bored with toothpaste being locked up at CVS.
“Alvin Bragg should have a Democratic primary opponent. San Francisco and Los Angeles voted out their soft-on-crime district attorneys. Manhattan should do the same.”
Bragg made nationwide headlines by successful a prison conviction towards President-elect Donald Trump for fudging data within the Stormy Daniel hush cash case. Trump and Republican allies argued it was a partisan prosecution, whereas Democrats hailed it
It stays to be seen whether or not the decision will stick or be tossed with Trump returning to the White Home on Jan. 20.
However Bragg’s prosecution of Trump all however assures his re-election amongst Manhattanites, a marketing campaign strategist mentioned.
“Regardless of what happens with the Trump convictions, DA Bragg bought himself a near guarantee of coasting to re-election among Democratic primary voters,” mentioned guide Jake Dilemani.
“It’s an asset.”
Bragg had drawn blowback instantly upon taking workplace when he issued a “Day One” workers memo directing prosecutors to drop some misdemeanor instances, not search bail or jail time for many defendants and to downgrade sure felonies to misdemeanors.
Critics additionally slammed him for letting thugs who vandalized Columbia College in anti-Israel protests off scot-free, being slow-footed in addressing serial shoplifting and initially charging a bodega employee with homicide for defending himself from a violent thug.
Bragg additionally drew intense criticism for letting some migrants free with out bail after they attacked law enforcement officials in Instances Sq.. He later indicted them.
In Manhattan, there have been 27,122 reported felony crimes this 12 months via Nov. 10, up 16.9% from the identical interval in 2021 earlier than Bragg took workplace, in line with NYPD data reported by The Publish on Sunday.
Underneath Bragg, rape has jumped 7.4% throughout Manhattan, theft 8.9%, felony assault 16.8% and grand larceny 29.8%.
State Republican Celebration Chairman Ed Cox vowed that there shall be a “very good candidate” on the GOP line who will tackle a “vulnerable” Bragg.
However Manhattan Democratic chief Keith Wright crowed that “Alvin Bragg has been an awesome DA.
“He’s been fair and judicious. He’s an authentic person,” mentioned Wright, who dismissed the criticism — not less than a few of it coming from individuals who don’t reside in Manhattan — as “nothing but noise.”
Bragg seems wanting to defend his file.
“Alvin Bragg is laser-focused on making Manhattan safer. Under his leadership shootings and murders are down double digits compared to 2021 and this week he announced the indictments of 30 gang members who terrorized upper Manhattan with violence and mayhem and were responsible for approximately 50 percent of shootings in Washington Heights and Inwood,” mentioned Bragg marketing campaign spokesman Ritchie Fife.
“He knows there is much more work to do and we are gratified by the support he’s received to continue to do his job from New Yorkers embracing his record of reducing gun violence, investing in mental health outreach, and delivering the safety we need and the fairness we deserve. He’s ready for the campaign ahead.”
His camp cited shootings in Manhattan are down 48% and murders are down 14% since 2021.
The Alvin Bragg for DA Committee has $1,088,334.32 money available, in line with his most latest July submitting with the state Board of Elections.
