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District Attorney election in Queens County, New York (2019)

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Queens County District Attorney

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Melinda Katz
Melinda Katz
 
38.8
 
34,920
Image of Tiffany Cabán
Tiffany Cabán
 
38.7
 
34,860
Image of Gregory Lasak
Gregory Lasak
 
14.5
 
13,048
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
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Mina Malik
 
3.9
 
3,526
Image of Rory Lancman
Rory Lancman
 
1.6
 
1,415
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Jose Nieves
 
1.3
 
1,210
Image of Betty Lugo
Betty Lugo
 
1.2
 
1,095

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 90,074
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2019 Queens County elections
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Election dates
Filing deadline: April 4, 2019 & August 23, 2019
Primary election: June 25, 2019
General election: November 5, 2019
Election stats
Offices up: Public advocate, city council, city civil court, and supreme court
Total seats up: 9
Election type: Partisan
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2019

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (D) defeated public defender Tiffany Caban and five other candidates in the June 25, 2019, Democratic primary for Queens District Attorney. While Caban appeared to be the first-place finisher on election night, Katz appeared to be the first-place finisher after mail-in ballots were counted. A manual recount which concluded July 25, 2019, found Katz in the lead. Caban conceded to Katz on August 6, 2019, after a review of disputed ballots concluded that there were not enough ballots in dispute to change the election's outcome.[1]

The death of Queens District Attorney Richard Brown (D) in May 2019 left the seat open for the first time since he was elected in 1991. Six candidates ran for the Democratic nomination to succeed Brown. The race attracted national attention, including endorsements from Democratic presidential candidates.[2]

According to a panel of local election watchers interviewed by City & State NY, three candidates stood out as frontrunners: Katz (D), Caban (D), and former Judge Gregory Lasak (D).[3]

Political consultant Harry Giannoulis said Katz's history of having won borough-wide in past elections made her a strong contender, while freelance reporter Emma Whitford said Katz was "the leader by every traditional metric (borough name recognition, county party endorsement)". According to political consultant Scott Levenson, the election would show "whether the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez victory over Joe Crowley was anomaly or sea change," suggesting that the same voters who backed Ocasio-Cortez could support Cabán. Political consultant Chris Coffey said that the difficulty in predicting turnout made it impossible to rule out a Lasak win.[3]

Katz faced attorney Joe Murray (R) in the November 5, 2019, general election. Murray replaced Daniel Kogan on the ballot after Kogan accepted the Republican Party's nomination to run for New York's 11th Supreme Court District.[4]

Click here to learn more about Queen County's judicial elections.

Candidates and election results

See also: Municipal elections in Queens County, New York (2019)

General election

General election for Queens County District Attorney

Melinda Katz defeated Joe Murray in the general election for Queens County District Attorney on November 5, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Melinda Katz
Melinda Katz (D)
 
74.9
 
146,597
Image of Joe Murray
Joe Murray (R) Candidate Connection
 
24.1
 
47,112
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.0
 
2,040

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 195,749
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Queens County District Attorney

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Queens County District Attorney on June 25, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Melinda Katz
Melinda Katz
 
38.8
 
34,920
Image of Tiffany Cabán
Tiffany Cabán
 
38.7
 
34,860
Image of Gregory Lasak
Gregory Lasak
 
14.5
 
13,048
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Mina Malik
 
3.9
 
3,526
Image of Rory Lancman
Rory Lancman
 
1.6
 
1,415
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jose Nieves
 
1.3
 
1,210
Image of Betty Lugo
Betty Lugo
 
1.2
 
1,095

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 90,074
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Queens County District Attorney

Daniel Kogan advanced from the Republican primary for Queens County District Attorney on June 25, 2019.

Candidate
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Daniel Kogan

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Note: On June 21, 2019, Rory Lancman dropped out of the race for Queens County District Attorney. His name still appeared on the primary ballot.[5]

Candidates

Democratic Party Democratic primary candidates

Republican Party Republican primary candidates

Top candidates

The three following candidates were identified as frontrunners by local media sources and lead in endorsements.[3]

Tiffany Caban

Tiffany Caban

"End mass incarceration in Queens and make Queens a model for the world. Decriminalize poverty and end racist law enforcement. End the war on drugs and treat substance use disorder as a medical issue. Decarcerate and restore communities. Center community solutions. Tackle corporate crimes."[6]

Caban graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in crime, law, and justice, and earned her law degree from New York Law School. Caban worked as a public defender for four years with New York County Defender Services and for three years with the Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice.[7] She said she was running "to transform the Queens District Attorney's office after years of witnessing its abuses on the front lines."[6]

For more on Caban, see her campaign website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


Melinda Katz

Melinda Katz

"As the District Attorney, I will fight to achieve fairness in the criminal justice system. Whatever your ethnicity, background, immigration status or economic means; whether you are a third-generation Queens resident or someone who came here yesterday to provide your family a better life; whatever your gender identification or sexual orientation, Justice must always look the same. All too often, it does not. Will you join my fight?"[8]

Katz graduated from the University of Massachusetts and earned her law degree from St. John's School of Law. After completing internships in the Southern District of New York and the Legal Aid Society, she served in the state Assembly and the New York City Council. Katz also worked in private practice with the firms of Weil Gotshal and Greenberg Traurig. Katz was elected Queens borough president in 2013 and won re-election in 2017.[9] She said that she "has succeeded in her career because she’s always been willing to listen, to break from the practices and limitations of the past, and to work hand-in-hand with community leaders on the challenges they face and then create effective change. And that’s why her experience makes her uniquely qualified to be our next District Attorney."[10]

For more on Katz, see her campaign website and Twitter.


Gregory Lasak

Gregory Lasak

"You cannot make fairness and equal justice your priority when you haven't the faintest idea where to start. A term-limited politician who has never practiced criminal law and decides on a whim one day to run for this position selfishly puts justice at risk for his or her own political gain. On-the-job training is not an option. I stand fully-qualified and ready to serve right now."[11]

Lasak graduated from Queens College and earned his law degree from New York Law School. He joined the office of the Queens District Attorney after graduating. He was promoted to Chief of the Homicide Bureau, then to executive assistant in charge of the Major Crimes Division. Lasak was elected to the New York Supreme Court in 2003 and won re-election in 2017.[11] Lasak said he was running to "continue his fair and balanced approach to criminal justice."[12]

For more on Lasak, see his campaign website, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.

Media coverage

Explore the following media coverage for more detailed information on the candidates and issues.

Endorsements

Do you know of an official or organization that endorsed a candidate in this race? Let Ballotpedia know by email at editor@ballotpedia.org.
See a roundup of endorsements on City and State NY.

Democratic Party Tiffany Caban

Democratic Party Melinda Katz

Democratic Party Gregory Lasak

Democratic Party Betty Lugo

Democratic Party Mina Malik

What was at stake?

Report a story for this election

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About the county

See also: Queens County, New York

The county government of Queens County does not have a county seat as one of the five boroughs of New York City. Queens County is the state designation for the Borough of Queens.[14] The county was first established in 1683. It covers a total of 108.5 square miles in eastern New York.[15]

County government

See also: Government of Queens County, New York

Queens County residents elect a borough president and a district attorney. The president is responsible for making budget recommendations to the mayor of New York, proposing legislation in the New York City Council, appointing borough representatives to commissions and boards, and holding public hearings on borough issues. The city of New York approves budgets and projects for the five boroughs.[16][17] The district attorney is responsible for prosecuting cases involving violations of state law.[18]

Demographics

The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.

Demographic Data for Queens County, New York
Queens County New York
Population 2,230,722 19,378,102
Land area (sq mi) 108 47,123
Race and ethnicity**
White 38.3% 63.7%
Black/African American 18.3% 15.7%
Asian 25.5% 8.4%
Native American 0.5% 0.4%
Pacific Islander 0% 0%
Other (single race) 13.8% 8.7%
Multiple 3.6% 3.1%
Hispanic/Latino 28% 19%
Education
High school graduation rate 82% 86.8%
College graduation rate 32.2% 36.6%
Income
Median household income $68,666 $68,486
Persons below poverty level 12.2% 14.1%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2010). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2014-2019).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Eighteen of 62 New York counties—29 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Broome County, New York 2.01% 5.31% 8.02%
Cayuga County, New York 11.64% 11.40% 8.48%
Cortland County, New York 5.58% 9.11% 9.96%
Essex County, New York 1.14% 18.77% 13.32%
Franklin County, New York 5.45% 26.07% 22.23%
Madison County, New York 14.20% 0.89% 0.87%
Niagara County, New York 17.75% 0.84% 1.00%
Orange County, New York 5.50% 5.65% 4.13%
Oswego County, New York 21.99% 7.93% 2.44%
Otsego County, New York 11.13% 2.72% 5.91%
Rensselaer County, New York 1.41% 12.19% 9.34%
St. Lawrence County, New York 8.82% 16.71% 16.33%
Saratoga County, New York 3.21% 2.44% 3.40%
Seneca County, New York 11.01% 9.08% 2.60%
Suffolk County, New York 6.84% 3.69% 5.99%
Sullivan County, New York 11.23% 9.02% 9.46%
Warren County, New York 8.47% 2.32% 2.64%
Washington County, New York 18.40% 1.90% 0.81%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won New York with 59 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 36.5 percent. In presidential elections between 1792 and 2016, New York voted Democratic 45.6 percent of the time and Republican 35 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, New York voted Democratic all five times.[19]

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state Assembly districts in New York. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[20][21]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 114 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 46.5 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 99 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 50.3 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 36 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 10.5 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 51 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 17.6 points. Trump won 13 districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.

See also

Queens County, New York New York Municipal government Other local coverage
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External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ WTOP, "Cabán calls it quits in contested Queens DA race," August 6, 2019
  2. ↑ The Hill, "Sanders, Warren endorse progressive candidate for Queens district attorney," June 19, 2019
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 City & State New York, "Who’s the frontrunner in the Queens district attorney race?" June 19, 2019
  4. ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Republican Party Chooses Ex-NYPD Officer to Run for Queens District Attorney," August 26, 2019
  5. ↑ Queens Daily Eagle, "Rory Lancman formally bails on DA race and endorses Melinda Katz," June 21, 2019
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Caban for Queens, "Home," accessed June 21, 2019
  7. ↑ Caban for Queens, "About," accessed June 21, 2019
  8. ↑ Melinda Katz for District Attorney, "Home," accessed June 21, 2019
  9. ↑ Melinda Katz for District Attorney, "About," accessed June 21, 2019
  10. ↑ Melinda Katz for District Attorney, "Platform Overview," accessed June 21, 2019
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Greg Lasak for District Attorney, "About Greg," accessed June 21, 2019
  12. ↑ Greg Lasak for District Attorney, "Home," accessed June 21, 2019
  13. ↑ New York Daily News, "Rory Lancman drops out of Queens DA race and endorses Melinda Katz — aide quits in protest," June 21, 2019
  14. ↑ NYC.gov, "New York City Counties," accessed September 28, 2016
  15. ↑ United States Census, "QuickFacts: Queens County," accessed September 23, 2016
  16. ↑ Justia, "2006 New York Code - Powers And Duties.," accessed September 23, 2016
  17. ↑ Queens Borough President, "Budget," accessed September 23, 2016
  18. ↑ Queens District Attorney's Office, "Divisions and Bureaus," accessed December 5, 2016
  19. ↑ 270towin.com, "New York," accessed June 1, 2017
  20. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  21. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
  22. ↑ Democrats won Assembly District 9 in a special election on May 23, 2017. The seat was previously held by a Republican.
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