2021 Manhattan District Attorney election

2021 Manhattan District Attorney election

November 2, 2021
 
Candidate Alvin Bragg Thomas Kenniff
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 211,686 41,211
Percentage 83.6% 16.3%

Bragg:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Kenniff:      50–60%
Tie:      50%      No votes

District Attorney before election

Cyrus Vance Jr.
Democratic

Elected District Attorney

Alvin Bragg
Democratic

The 2021 Manhattan District Attorney election was held on November 2, 2021, to elect the Manhattan District Attorney. The incumbent, Cyrus Vance Jr., had announced in March 2021 that he would not seek a fourth term.[1]

The Democratic primary election was held on June 22, 2021. Despite the introduction of ranked-choice voting for other elected positions in New York City, this race used plurality voting, as it is a state position, rather than a city position.[2]

A key issue in the election was which candidate would be best equipped to criminally prosecute or civilly sue former President Donald Trump.[3][4]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Withdrawn

  • Janos Marton, civil rights attorney[5] (endorsed Bragg)[6]

Endorsements

Tahanie Aboushi

U.S. senators

U.S. representatives

Local officials

State senators

State assemblymembers

Individuals

Organizations

Labor unions

Alvin Bragg

Federal legislators

State senators

State assemblymembers

Individuals

Organizations

Newspapers

Labor unions

Tali Farhadian Weinstein
Janos Marton

Individuals

Lucy Lang

Individuals

Eliza Orlins

Individuals

Organizations

Labor unions

Dan Quart

U.S. representatives

Local officials

State senators

State assemblymembers

Individuals

Organizations

Labor unions

Declined to endorse

Organizations

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Tahanie Aboushi Alvin Bragg Liz Crotty Tali Farhadian Weinstein Diana Florence Lucy Lang Eliza Orlins Dan Quart Other Undecided
Data For Progress (D)[58] June 18–20, 2021 451 (LV) ± 5.0% 10% 34% 2% 25% 1% 6% 3% 6% 14%[a]
Data For Progress (D)[59] June 7–13, 2021 642 (LV) ± 4.0% 7% 26% 5% 26% 2% 8% 2% 5% 21%[a]
Benenson Strategy Group (D)[60][A] April 16–21, 2021 390 (LV) 5% 6% 2% 16% 5% 12% 4% 3% 3% 44%
Tulchin Research (D)[61][B] April 6–11, 2021 500 (LV) ± 4.38% 11% 5% 2% 11% 2% 4% 2% 5% 57%

Debates

2021 Manhattan District Attorney democratic primary debates
No. Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
Tahanie Aboushi Alvin Bragg Liz Crotty Tali Farhadian Weinstein Diana Florence Lucy Lang Eliza Orlins Dan Quart
1 May 13, 2021 Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College Rachel Smith YouTube P P P P P P P P
2 Apr. 15, 2021 NYU Wagner Students for Ending Mass Incarceration Khalil Cumberbatch YouTube P P P P P P P P
3 New York City Bar Association Nicholas Turner YouTube P P P P P P P P
4 PoliticsNY Skye Ostreicher
Steve Witt
YouTube P N P P P P P P

Results

By precinct

Democratic primary[63]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alvin Bragg 85,720 34.2%
Democratic Tali Farhadian Weinstein 76,892 30.7%
Democratic Tahanie Aboushi 27,458 11.0%
Democratic Lucy Lang 18,910 7.5%
Democratic Diana Florence 12,246 4.9%
Democratic Liz Crotty 11,453 4.6%
Democratic Eliza Orlins 10,610 4.2%
Democratic Dan Quart 6,984 2.8%
Write-in 330 0.13%
Total valid votes 250,603 93.7%
Rejected ballots 16,908 6.3%
Total votes 267,511 100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Thomas Kenniff, former prosecutor

Results

Republican primary[64]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas Kenniff
Total votes 100.00%

General election

Debate

2021 Manhattan district attorney election debate
No. Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Republican
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
Alvin Bragg Thomas Kenniff
1 MNN NYC Ben Max YouTube P P

Results

2021 Manhattan district attorney election[65]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alvin Bragg 211,686 83.6%
Republican Thomas Kenniff 41,211 16.3%
Write-in 397 0.1%
Total votes 253,294 100.0%
Democratic hold

Notes

  1. ^ a b "No One"
Partisan clients
  1. ^ Poll sponsored by StudentsFirstNY, a pro-charter schools group
  2. ^ Poll sponsored by Aboushi's campaign[62]

References

  1. ^ Sisak, Michael R. (March 12, 2021). "NYC prosecutor leading Trump probe won't seek re-election". USA Today. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Bromwich, Jonah E. (June 21, 2021). "Here Are the Democrats Running for Manhattan D.A." The New York Times.
  3. ^ Ngo, Emily (March 23, 2021). "The Manhattan DA Candidates and the Probe into Donald Trump". ny1.com. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  4. ^ Coltin, Jeff (February 9, 2021). "Manhattan DA candidates expect to inherit Vance's case against Trump". City & State NY. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  5. ^ Durkin, Erin (December 14, 2020). "Janos Marton drops out of Manhattan DA race". Politico Pro. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Hamm, Theodore (April 23, 2021). "Courting The Left in Manhattan DA's Race". The Indypendent. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  7. ^ Anderson, Brooke (June 10, 2021). "Progressive US Senator Bernie Sanders endorses Palestinian-American lawyer for Manhattan district attorney". The New Arab. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d Anderson, Brooke (May 18, 2021). "Palestinian-American Tahanie Aboushi disrupts Manhattan's legal establishment in District Attorney campaign". The New Arab. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  9. ^ Bayoumi, Moustafa (May 18, 2021). "Meet the Woman Who Would Transform the Nation's Most Powerful DA's Office". The Nation. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  10. ^ a b c Higginbotham, Emily (March 2, 2021). "Progressive Leaders Endorse Aboushi". Our Town NY. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "Endorsements". Tahanie For DA.
  12. ^ Coltin, Jeff; Kashiwagi, Sydney (May 21, 2021). ""Donald Trump will certainly chime in" if this happens". City & State. Retrieved January 22, 2026. … state Sen. Jessica Ramos endorsed Tahanie Aboushi for Manhattan district attorney
  13. ^ a b Coltin, Jeff; Kashiwagi, Sydney (June 2, 2021). "Supersized PAC spending in the mayoral race". City & State. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  14. ^ a b c d Coltin, Jeff; Kashiwagi, Sydney (April 14, 2021). "Could Tusk be Andrew Yang's "agent of the city"?". City & State. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  15. ^ a b c Coltin, Jeff (October 19, 2020). "Will the Manhattan DA race get its own Tiffany Cabán?". City & State. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  16. ^ a b Coltin, Jeff; Kashiwagi, Sydney (May 28, 2021). "Morales staffers take up a new cause". City & State. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  17. ^ a b "@elizaorlins & @TahanieNYC for #ManhattanDA@elizaorlins is a long-time progressive ally of the PCCC & @ewarren, & is our first choice. @TahanieNYC is also spot-on ideologically — PCCC is proud to endorse her as well!".
  18. ^ Coltin, Jeff (March 17, 2021). "Who's got the money and who's got momentum?". City & State. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  19. ^ "Thank you to @RepGregoryMeeks for your endorsement. I've been a long time admirer of your focused efforts to revitalize the economy, create jobs, and ensure that #JusticeCantWait. #TeamBragg".
  20. ^ Marcius, Chelsia (April 29, 2021). "U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler endorses Alvin Bragg for Manhattan DA". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  21. ^ a b c d e f g Shahrigian, Shant (October 27, 2020). "Harlem heavyweights endorse Alvin Bragg for Manhattan district attorney". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  22. ^ a b c d "Wiley for the Win!". New York Amsterdam News. May 19, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  23. ^ Kassel, Matthew (April 29, 2021). "Jerry Nadler endorses Alvin Bragg for Manhattan DA". Jewish Insider. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  24. ^ Marcius, Chelsia (February 1, 2021). "Eric Garner's mother Gwen Carr endorses Manhattan DA candidate Alvin Bragg". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  25. ^ a b "Endorsements". Alvin Bragg.
  26. ^ Coltin, Jeff (August 29, 2022). "10th District campaigns dogged by what-ifs after Goldman victory". City & State. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  27. ^ Marcius, Chelsia (June 1, 2021). "Former Brooklyn DA Elizabeth Holtzman endorses Manhattan DA candidate Alvin Bragg". New York Daily News via Yahoo News. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  28. ^ a b c d e Marcius, Chelsia (April 27, 2021). "Central Park 5 members backing candidate Alvin Bragg for Manhattan DA". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  29. ^ Durkin, Erin; Gronewold, Anna; Custodio, Jonathan (June 10, 2021). "Eric Adams' house tour fallout — Cuomo MTA overhaul blocked — Morales fires staffers". Politico. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  30. ^ "Boston DA Rachael Rollins endorses Alvin Bragg for Manhattan DA … but really my first thought is wondering if you're allowed to endorse and talk politics using government resources in Massachusetts? This shit would never fly in New York!".
  31. ^ a b Coltin, Jeff; Kashiwagi, Sydney (June 9, 2021). "The Eric Adams real estate tour". City & State. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  32. ^ "We endorse Alvin Bragg for Manhattan District Attorney". Color of Change PAC. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  33. ^ a b c Coltin, Jeff; Kashigawi, Sydney (May 13, 2021). "The fall of the Barrons?". City & State. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  34. ^ "Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Votes PAC Endorses Health Care Champions in Key New York City & Nassau County Races". Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. April 21, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  35. ^ "Alvin Bragg for Manhattan D.A.". The New York Times. May 27, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  36. ^ "Communique June 2021 Primary" (PDF). CWA Local 1180. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  37. ^ Johnson, Stephon (April 29, 2021). "Unions shoring up endorsements ahead of primary". New York Amsterdam News. Retrieved January 23, 2026. Elsewhere, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union announced their endorsement of... Alvin Bragg for Manhattan district attorney.
  38. ^ a b Bromwich, Jonah (June 17, 2021). "Farhadian Weinstein Is a Lightning Rod in Manhattan D.A. Race's Lone Debate". The New York Times. Retrieved January 23, 2026. Ms. Farhadian Weinstein, who has been endorsed by Hillary Clinton and Eric H. Holder Jr.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  39. ^ a b c Coltin, Jeff; Kashiwagi, Sydney (June 22, 2021). "Five things to watch in NYC's primaries". City & State. Retrieved January 23, 2026. Farhadian Weinstein has also earned endorsements from prominent Democrats, including... Reps. Ritchie Torres, Nydia Velázquez and Adriano Espaillat
  40. ^ a b "Endorsements". Tali For DA.
  41. ^ a b c "NOW-NYC & Gloria Steinem Endorse Tali Farhadian Weinstein for Manhattan District Attorney". National Organization for Women New York City. April 8, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  42. ^ aKassel, Matthew (April 26, 2021). "Tali Farhadian Weinstein picks up Roberta Kaplan's endorsement in DA race". Jewish Insider. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  43. ^ "Ms. District Attorney: Tali Farhadian Weinstein for Manhattan DA". New York Daily News. May 26, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  44. ^ "The Post endorses Tali Farhadian Weinstein for Manhattan DA". New York Post. June 9, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  45. ^ Cordiello, Michael. "ATU Endorses Diana Flofrnece for Manhattan District Attorney" (PDF). ATU Local 1181. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
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  47. ^ a b Neumeister, Larry (November 17, 2020). "Weinstein accusers endorse Manhattan DA candidate Lucy Lang". KSAT-TV. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  48. ^ a b "Endorsements". Vote Lucy Lang. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  49. ^ a b c "Endorsements". Eliza Orlins.
  50. ^ Durkin, Erin; Gronewold, Anna; Custodio, Jonathan (April 7, 2021). "Budget deal raises taxes, funds excluded workers, boosts school aid — Cuomo's Penn plan reined in — Mobile sports betting to be legalized". Politico. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  51. ^ a b Higginbotham, Emily (December 22, 2020). "Major Endorsements for Dan Quart". Our Town NY. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  52. ^ Marcius, Chelsia (May 7, 2021). "Manhattan DA candidate Dan Quart endorsed by fellow state lawmaker John Liu". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  53. ^ a b c d e f "Endorsements". Dan Quart. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  54. ^ Durkin, Erin; Gronewold, Anna; Custodio, Jonathan (May 27, 2021). "Republican debate slugfest — Garcia tangles on the trail after surge — Morales rocked by staff shakeup". Politico. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  55. ^ Durkin, Erin (February 4, 2021). "'The Wire' actor Michael K. Williams backs Dan Quart for Manhattan DA". Politico. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  56. ^ "2021 NYC Primary Endorsements". Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  57. ^ Mellins, Sam (December 7, 2020). "Janos Marton: The Criminal Justice System in New York City Is "Rotten"". Jacobin. Retrieved January 23, 2026. DSA is staying out of the [Manhattan] district attorney race
  58. ^ Data For Progress (D)
  59. ^ "Data For Progress June 7–13 poll" (PDF). Data For Progress. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  60. ^ Benenson Strategy Group (D)
  61. ^ "Poll Finds Tahanie Aboushi in Strong Early Position in Democratic Primary for Manhattan District Attorney" (PDF). Tulchin Research. April 14, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  62. ^ Durkin, Erin; Gronewold, Anna; Custodio, Jonathan (April 15, 2021). "Bar and restaurant curfew extended to midnight — Hospitalizations of seniors fall — Impeachment hotline draws 100+ calls". Politico. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
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  64. ^ "Manhattan District Attorney Primary Election Results". The New York Times. June 22, 2021.
  65. ^ "General Election 2021 - District Attorney, New York" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. Retrieved January 5, 2022.