By: Nick Carroway

According to the New York Post, Diana Florence, a seasoned former Manhattan assistant district attorney, has entered the race to challenge incumbent District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Running as an independent on a new ballot line called “Safer Manhattan,” Florence is pitching herself as a common-sense alternative to Bragg, whose tenure has drawn sharp criticism for his prosecutorial policies. The New York Post reports that her campaign will center on public safety and a return to stricter enforcement of the law.

Florence, who previously served under DA Cy Vance, made her announcement with a pointed rebuke of Bragg’s controversial “Day One” memo, the New York Post reports. Issued in January 2022, Bragg’s memo advised prosecutors to avoid pursuing prison sentences for a wide range of crimes and to downgrade certain felonies — including cases involving weapons and drug offenses. According to the New York Post, Florence views this memo as a turning point that compromised public safety across the borough.

“The law is a command, not a suggestion,” said Florence, echoing a core theme of her campaign as quoted by the New York Post. “It’s time to bring common sense back to the District Attorney’s office and leave the politics behind.”

Despite her bold platform, Florence enters the race with significant baggage of her own. The New York Post reports that she resigned from the Manhattan DA’s office in 2020 following accusations of withholding crucial evidence in a case involving construction industry fraud. Specifically, she was alleged to have concealed a damaging audio recording, raising concerns about prosecutorial ethics and fairness.

Bragg’s campaign has already hit back, with spokesperson Richard Fife stating — as the New York Post reported — that Florence is “unfit to be DA.” He painted a sharp contrast, citing Bragg’s achievements: a 45% drop in Manhattan shootings, expanded mental health initiatives, and his commitment to holding the powerful accountable. Fife also referenced Florence’s exit from the DA’s office, calling it a “disgrace” due to “a toxic work environment and misconduct involving evidence.”

Florence, however, is undeterred. As the New York Post reports, she insists that Manhattan needs a prosecutor who will focus on restoring order and fairness, promising that her own “Day One Memo” will reflect a zero-tolerance stance on violent crime and a crackdown on quality-of-life offenses like vandalism, shoplifting, and trespassing. “I’m going to fight for a Manhattan where stores aren’t locking up toothpaste and our public spaces aren’t crime scenes waiting to happen,” she told the New York Post.

Her campaign also pledges to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence and sex crimes and to pursue hate crimes targeting Jewish, Asian, and other vulnerable communities — according to the New York Post.

Florence, a Kips Bay resident and lifelong New Yorker, spent 25 years in the Manhattan DA’s office. Her background includes leading the first-ever Construction Fraud Task Force, and she has prosecuted a wide range of cases involving street violence, corruption, wage theft, and fraudulent exploitation of 9/11 charity funds.

She previously ran in the 2021 Democratic primary for the DA’s office — the same race Bragg ultimately won. This time, Florence is betting that the electorate’s sentiment has shifted. She received a “qualified” rating from the New York Bar Association in her last campaign, which could help lend some credibility despite her past controversy.

The race for Manhattan District Attorney is shaping up to be more competitive than anticipated, with Bragg also facing a Democratic primary challenge from Patrick Timmins, a former Bronx prosecutor and civil litigator. Maud Maron.