NYC Primary: So Many Options For Manhattan District Attorney, And Ranked Choice Voting Doesn't Apply
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Eight Democrats are vying to become the next Manhattan district attorney.
From gun violence to potentially prosecuting former President Donald Trump about financial matters, the person who assumes the position will inherit a number of issues, CBS2's Aundrea Cline-Thomas reported Tuesday.
All eyes may be on the mayor's race, but the Manhattan DA is among the most powerful positions in the city.
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Late Tuesday night, Alvin Bragg was out in front with 35%, with Tali Farhadian Weinstein at 30% and Tahanie Aboushi at 11%.
"We definitely feel the momentum. We've built a borough-wide network. I'm from Harlem, started out in Harlem with so much support there," Bragg said earlier in the day.
Bragg, most recently a chief deputy attorney general in New York state, promises to end cash bail and not prosecute low-level offenses which he says doesn't benefit public safety.
Farhadian Weinstein, who worked in the Justice Department during President Barack Obama's leadership, has a 10-point plan to address gun violence, with an emphasis on gun trafficking prosecutions.
She has come under fire recently for not paying federal income taxes for multiple years.
Manhattan Valley resident Lenore Richter said she is supporting Farhadian Weinstein.
"I looked at her qualifications. I think she worked for Eric Holder and I thought that, you now, that's good," Richter said.
Aboushi, a civil rights lawyer, was joined by actress and former mayoral candidate Cynthia Nixon on Tuesday morning in a last-ditch effort to sway voters headed to the polls.
"A decision a prosecutor makes goes well beyond that office and comes into our homes and neighborhoods and dictates the obstacles and opportunities we will have for generations to come," Aboushi said.
Watch Aundrea Cline-Thomas' report --
The Democratic field is crowded with eight contenders in a year when a rise in violent crime, criminal justice and reform have taken center stage.
"Crime is slowly increasing. We have to get the leadership right and elect leadership across the city who are committed to a collaborative future that brings New York City out of the pandemic," candidate Lucy Lang said.
Other candidates include public defend Eliza Orlins, state Assemblyman Dan Quart, and Liz Crotty and Diana Florence, who have both served as prosecutors.
Bragg, Lang and Farhadian Weinstein have also served as prosecutors.
READ MORE: Crowded Field Of Contenders Seeks To Succeed Cyrus Vance, Jr. As Manhattan District Attorney
Tuesday night, Bragg was at a Harlem restaurant with hundreds of supporters. His campaign told CBS2 he would not be speaking until the race was called.
Voters will decide what justice will look like in Manhattan.
Ranked choice voting does not apply to this race, so one vote is all you get. Whoever wins the Democratic primary will face off in November against criminal defense attorney Thomas Kenniff, the lone Republican running.
Kenniff is also a former prosecutor and Iraq War veteran.
CBS2's Jessica Layton contributed to this report.