Controversial Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, despite being seen as soft on crime, is heavily favored for re-election next year and could become the laughing stock of New York City. Critics say there is.
So far, no Democratic senator has emerged to challenge Mr. Bragg in the June 25 Democratic primary.
State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox said the party would field a credible candidate, but despite Mr. Bragg's reputation for being soft on quality of life and street crime, Republicans in liberal Manhattan Experts predict that candidates still face tough odds.
Some analysts added that a strong re-election of Mr. Bragg, who has been in office for a tumultuous three years, could turn New York into a national joke.
“Democrats have lost their minds,” veteran political consultant Hank Sheinkoff said of DA supporters. “Mr. Bragg's re-election will send a message to the nation that New Yorkers are crazy and will not punish those who endanger our police officers and citizens.”
Even in deep-blue California, fed-up voters are lining up with like-minded left-handed prosecutors: former San Francisco state prosecutor Chesa Boudin in 2022 and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón on November 5th. He threw out Alameda County Attorney Pamela Price.
“Even San Francisco has normalized compared to New York,” Scheinkopf said.
“We're tired of toothpaste being locked up in CVS,” said Ken Friedman, the longtime NYPD union president.
“Alvin Bragg should have a Democratic primary opponent. San Francisco and Los Angeles voted out crime-fighting district attorneys. Manhattan should do the same.”
Mr. Bragg made national headlines when he won a conviction against President-elect Donald Trump for falsifying records in the Stormy Daniel hush money case. President Trump and his Republican allies called it a partisan prosecution, but Democrats welcomed it.
It remains to be seen whether the verdict will be finalized or whether Trump will be at the mercy of his return to the White House on January 20th.
But Mr. Bragg's prosecution of Mr. Trump all but guaranteed his reelection among Manhattan residents, campaign strategists said.
“Regardless of the outcome of President Trump's conviction, Prosecutor Bragg has given himself a near-guarantee that he will be well on his way to re-election among Democratic primary voters,” said consultant Jake Dilemani. said.
“It's an asset.”
Bragg released a “day one” staff memo instructing prosecutors to drop some misdemeanor cases, not seek bail or jail time for most defendants, and downgrade some felonies to misdemeanors. Immediately after taking office, he faced backlash.
Critics also criticized the acquittal of the thugs who destroyed Columbia University during an anti-Israel demonstration, the slow response to a series of shoplifters, and the initial dismissal of mall workers who were accused of protecting themselves from violent thugs. He criticized the decision to indict the member for murder.
Mr. Bragg also drew intense criticism for releasing some of the immigrants who attacked police officers in Times Square without bail. He later indicted them.
According to New York City Police Department records reported by the Sunday Post, 27,122 felonies had been reported in Manhattan through November 10 of this year, compared with 16.9 compared to the same period in 2021, before Mr. Bragg took office. % increase.
Under Bragg, rapes increased by 7.4%, robberies by 8.9%, felony assaults by 16.8%, and grand theft by 29.8% across Manhattan.
State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox vowed that there would be a “very good candidate” on the Republican ticket to take on the “weak” Mr. Bragg.
But Manhattan Democratic leader Keith Wright said, “Alvin Bragg was a great prosecutor.
“He was a fair and thoughtful person. He's a real person,” Wright said, adding that at least some of the criticism came from people who don't live in Manhattan, adding that “it's nothing more than noise.” ” he scoffed.
Mr Bragg seems keen to protect his record.
“Alvin Bragg is passionate about making Manhattan safer. Under his leadership, shootings and homicides are down double digits compared to 2021, and this week he announced “We announced the indictment of 30 gang members responsible for approximately 50 percent of the shootings in Washington Heights and Inwood,” Bragg said. Campaign spokesman Richard Fife said:
“He knows there is still much work to do and embraces his track record of reducing gun violence, investing in mental health supports, and providing the safety and security we need. , we are pleased with the support we have received from New Yorkers to continue our work.''The fairness we deserve. He is ready for the upcoming campaign.”
His campaign said that since 2021, mass shootings in Manhattan are down 48% and homicides are down 14%.
DA Commissioner Alvin Bragg has $1,088,334.32 in cash on hand, according to his most recent July filing with the State Board of Elections.
