2023 New York City district attorney primary election results

Two of the city’s top Democratic prosecutors are facing primary challenges, but from different policy perspectives. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz is looking for a second term, while George Grasso, a retired police officer and judge, is trying to stop her by convincing voters she isn’t tough enough on crime. Devian Daniels, a defense attorney, is also running. And Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark is aiming for a third term, while defense attorney Tess Cohen is challenging her from the left, arguing Clark is too punitive and hasn’t implemented reforms. 

It’s hard to unseat an incumbent DA. Many stakeholders in and around the court prioritize stability, and Katz and Clark have both outraised their opponents by a lot. They’ve also gotten key endorsements, while Grasso, Daniels and Cohen have struggled to build support. 

But the work of prosecutors in general has gotten more attention lately. There’s a growing movement for a more progressive criminal justice system, as well as a growing concern about street crime, since the crime rate in the city has remained elevated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bail reform, and discovery reform, have been on the agenda in Albany over the last few years, and both Katz and Clark have been in the middle of those conversations about change. 

There are also two boroughwide judicial races. In Queens, defense attorney Sandra Pérez has the Queens Democratic Party’s support against Marianne Gonzalez, a lawyer specializing in real estate transactions. And in Brooklyn, law clerk Turquoise Haskin has the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s support over arbitrator Linda Wilson. That race is yet another power struggle between Brooklyn Democratic Leader Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn’s party and some of the progressive reformers who oppose her, with Wilson earning support from Assembly Members Martiza Dávila and Robert Carroll and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, leading critics of the county organization.

For all the New York City primary night results, including more local judicial races, the New York City Board of Elections has the full slate.

And click here for City & State’s competitive City Council primary results.

Bronx District Attorney, Democratic Primary

Darcel Clark (Incumbent): 72.66%

Tess Cohen: 26.77%

With 97.52% of scanners reported

Queens District Attorney, Democratic Primary

Melinda Katz (Incumbent): 70.87%

George Grasso: 14.34%

Devian Daniels: 14.07%

With 96.98% of scanners reported

Queens Civil Court, Democratic Primary

Sandra Pérez: 67.03%

Marianne Gonzalez: 31.46%

With 96.98% of scanners reported

Brooklyn Civil Court, Democratic Primary

Linda Wilson: 65.62%

Turquoise Haskin: 32.79%

With 97.83% of scanners reported