Sunnyside Community Services, located at 43-31 39th St., where the forum will be held Monday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. (Photo: SCS)
May 30, 2019 By Max Murray
Sunnyside Community Services is holding a Queens District Attorney candidate forum next week.
The candidates will meet at Sunnyside Community Services on Monday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. as they battle it out for the Democratic nomination.
Six of the seven Democratic candidates who are vying for the nomination have confirmed their attendance.
Tiffany Cabán (Photo: Cabán for Queens DA)
The event comes at a crucial time for the candidates, since the primary is less than four weeks away–on June 25. The winner will then represent the Democrats in the Nov. 5 general election.
This will be the first competitive race for the position in nearly 30 years, with the late Richard A. Brown—who had the backing of the Queens Democratic machine—holding the spot from 1991 through to his death last month. Since his death, Assistant District Attorney John Ryan has been serving as acting district attorney.
All seven primary candidates are running on a platform of criminal justice reform. They all state that change is needed in terms of cash bail and how low-level offenses are prosecuted.
Melinda Katz (Source: Melinda Katz for Queens DA)
“On June 25, the people of Queens will have the opportunity to vote in the primary for Queens District Attorney in the first competitive race in many years,” said Judy Zangwill, executive director of Sunnyside Community Services.
“We are grateful to the candidates for making the time to participate as we feel it is important to not only provide a chance for the candidates to address the community, but to also provide our neighbors with the opportunity to share their questions and concerns.”
The forum is being moderated by Beth Fertig, senior reporter for WNYC News.
The candidates who have confirmed their attendance are:
Tiffany Cabán, a public defender, who has worked with the New York County Defender Services and the Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice.
Melinda Katz, the Queens Borough President, who was a member of the NYS Assembly and the City Council.
Rory Lancman, a council member who represents the 24th District and is the Chair of the Council’s Committee on the Justice System.
Rory Lancman (Twitter)
Greg Lasak, a former New York State Supreme Court judge who previously worked in the Queens District Attorney’s office.
Mina Malik, a lecturer at Harvard Law School and former prosecutor who was the head of the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
Jose Nieves, a former prosecutor in the NYS Attorney General’s Office.
Attendees are asked to register for the free event at https://bit.ly/2JLLPNv.The public can also submit questions by e-mailing them to info@scsny.org
Candidate Betty Lugo, a former Nassau County Assistant District Attorney, has yet to confirm.
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14 Comments
After attending the forum I can confidently say that Katz is trash,
Caban is impressive, Lasak is washed up, Lanceman is practical but inexperienced, Malik is tough, Nieves is cool, Lugo is the worst.
A bunch of defense lawyers except for Lasak
This crew will release criminals
Cavan Katz and lancman are the worst
Vote for lasak
Lasak is the only person qualified.
Katz is a career politician with no experience in law enforcement or criminal justice or being a prosecutor. Looking to boost her resume for mayoral bid since she’s term-limited as Borough President.
Caban is Ocasio-Cortez’s candidate. A public defender now trying to be the top law enforcement official in Queens. Like letting the fox guard the hen house.
Queens deserves better.
Greg Lasak, best qualified candidate
All seven are running on criminal justice reform. Trump already passed it in April. Called the First Step Act.
Only democrats running? Not that a Republican would stand a chance but still…
Vote for a progressive?? Kings county DA and Bronx DA are progressives. Wonder what the crime rate is as well as the conviction rate in the land of honey and spice and all is too nice? No thanks!! Lasak is the only decent alternative.
Rory Lancman is the best candidate. He went to Queens College and Columbia Law School. Served in the military. A local, practical guy who knows Queens.
He’s never tried a criminal case or practiced criminal law. He’s completely unqualified!!
Judge Greg Lasak is the only person for the job.
Vote for anyone but Mina Malek, she’s a trainwreck!
Van Bramer is endorsing Caban. That tells you to NOT to vote for her progressive movement. We will have every criminal be ‘misunderstood’ and released to victimize other again. Katz is similiar. Vote for anyone but Caban and Katz.
Vote for anyone but Katz, please!
Great news and kudos to Sunnyside Community Services for hosting this forum!