Queens DA Election: Cabán, Lasak Rake In Newspaper Endorsements

QUEENS, NY — As the June 25 Democratic primary for Queens district attorney approaches, newspaper editorial boards have endorsed two very different candidates: public defender Tiffany Cabán and longtime prosecutor and judge Greg Lasak.

The New York Times editorial board on Tuesday endorsed Cabán, an insurgent candidate who has won the support of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and many progressive, grassroots organizations.

"Cabán would come into office unencumbered by ties to the borough power structure and free to pursue her commitment to serve the community by doing more than just winning convictions," the editorial board wrote.

"Her seven years as a public defender have given her insight into how the system works, and how it ought to be changed."

The Times' editorial board endorsed Gov. Andrew Cuomo over his opponent in last year's Democratic primary, actor and activist Cynthia Nixon, who has endorsed Cabán.

Cuomo has supported Queens Borough President Melinda Katz in the DA race, though he did not issue a formal endorsement.

The Times' editorial board issued its opinion several days after the New York Post's editorial board endorsed Lasak, a former prosecutor and New York State Supreme Court judge. (Newspaper editorial boards are separate from newsroom operations.)

"He has the support of most law-enforcement unions, because he holds to the old-fashioned notion that district attorneys are seekers of justice," the Post's editorial board wrote.

"By contrast, his opponents have spent the campaign falling over each other about who will go easiest on “low-level” crimes," the editorial board added. "They seem to think that criminal-justice reform requires a DA to act as the borough’s chief public defender, not its chief law-enforcement officer."

The New York Daily News editorial board had previously backed Lasak, publishing its endorsement on June 10.

"Lasak’s 25 years as a Queens assistant district attorney and then 15 years as a judge trying felony cases in the borough give him unmatched experience in a crowded field," the Daily News editorial board wrote.

"Lasak isn’t just a tough guy who gets the ins and outs of complex criminal procedure," the editorial board added. "He was an innovator in exonerations."

Voters must be registered Democrats in Queens to vote in the primary election for district attorney on Tuesday, June 25. Check your registration at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov and find your polling site at nyc.pollsitelocator.com.

GO DEEPER:

>> Patch's Guide To The Role Of The District Attorney

>> Patch's Guide To The Democratic Primary Candidates