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By: Jared Evan
Manhattanites may soon prove the age-old adage: they’d vote for a roast beef sandwich if it had a “D” next to its name. Controversial District Attorney Alvin Bragg is heavily favored to win reelection in 2024, despite a tenure widely criticized as soft on crime.
While no Democrat has emerged to challenge Bragg in the June primary, Republican Party leaders promise to field a credible opponent. However, as political observers note, liberal Manhattan’s loyalty to Democratic candidates might ensure Bragg cruises to victory—cementing New York City’s status as a national punchline.
A Legacy of Lax Law Enforcement
Bragg’s tenure began with a whimper—and a memo. On his first day in office, he directed staff to downgrade certain felonies, avoid bail for most cases, and dismiss low-level misdemeanors. The fallout was swift. Critics blasted him for failing to address rampant shoplifting, letting Columbia University vandals walk free, and initially charging a bodega worker with murder for defending himself. Most recently, Bragg faced outrage for releasing migrants who attacked police officers in Times Square without bail before later indicting them.
Statistics tell a grim story. Under Bragg’s watch, felony crimes in Manhattan have surged nearly 17% compared to 2021. Robberies are up 8.9%, felony assaults 16.8%, and grand larcenies 29.8%, according to NYPD data cited by the New York Post. Even toothpaste has become a high-stakes commodity, locked behind glass at local drugstores due to rampant theft.
“San Francisco, of all places, looks like a model of common sense compared to New York City,” quipped veteran consultant Hank Sheinkopf, referencing California voters who recently ousted progressive DAs in San Francisco and Los Angeles. “If Bragg wins reelection, it’ll signal to the nation that Manhattanites are out of their minds.”
Trump, Teflon, and a Tarnished Record
While Bragg has earned national headlines for his criminal conviction of Donald Trump over alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, the case remains legally precarious. Critics argue the prosecution has bolstered Bragg’s reputation among Manhattan’s staunchly liberal voters, making him virtually unbeatable.
“Even if the conviction is overturned, Bragg has secured his reelection among Democratic primary voters,” consultant Jake Dilemani told the Post. “It’s a political asset.”
Bragg’s defenders point to falling shootings and murders in Manhattan—down 48% and 14%, respectively, since 2021—as proof of his effectiveness. “Alvin Bragg is laser-focused on making Manhattan safer,” said campaign spokesman Richard Fife, citing recent gang indictments in Washington Heights and Inwood.
Yet critics argue these achievements are dwarfed by a broader decline in quality of life. “I’m tired of toothpaste being locked up at CVS,” said Ken Frydman, a longtime representative for NYPD unions. “If San Francisco and Los Angeles can vote out their soft-on-crime DAs, Manhattan should do the same.”
No Challenge in Sight
Despite widespread discontent, no Democrat has stepped forward to challenge Bragg, leaving Manhattan voters with the same choice they always seem to make: the Democratic Party line, no matter the candidate. Republican State Chairman Ed Cox insists the GOP will present a viable alternative, though even he acknowledges the steep climb any Republican faces in deep-blue Manhattan.
Meanwhile, Manhattan Democratic leader Keith Wright has dismissed critics as “noise” from outsiders. “Alvin Bragg has been a great DA. He’s been fair and judicious,” Wright told the Post.
With over $1 million in campaign funds and an electorate seemingly unmoved by skyrocketing crime stats, Bragg appears poised to coast into another term.
