The Latest: Caban claims victory in Queens DA race
NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the Democratic primary for Queens District Attorney in New York (all times local):
11:25 p.m.
Public defender Tiffany Caban claimed victory in the extremely close Democratic primary for Queens District Attorney.
Appearing before a raucous crowd of supporters on Tuesday night, Caban said, "They said we could not win. But we did it y'all."
Caban, the candidate favored by left-wing Democrats in New York City, held a small lead over Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, a seasoned politician who had the backing of the state's Democratic Party establishment.
But it will be several days before thousands of mailed-in ballots are opened and counted.
Katz told her supporters there are still days before results are known.
The winner will be favored to win the November general election to succeed longtime District Attorney Richard Brown. He died last month at age 86.
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10:55 p.m.
Another closely watched election fight between left-wing and moderate Democrats in New York City is tantalizingly close, deep into the vote count.
About 1,200 votes separated the two top candidates late Tuesday in the Democratic primary for Queens District Attorney.
The left wing's favorite, public defender Tiffany Caban, held the edge over Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, a seasoned politician who was the favorite of the state's Democratic Party establishment.
But thousands of absentee ballots received by mail won't be opened and counted for at least several days.
Katz told supporters just before 11 p.m. that "there's a lot more days" before the results will be known.
Four other candidates trailed far behind in the vote tallies.
The winner will be favored to win the November general election to succeed longtime District Attorney Richard Brown. He died last month at age 86.
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6 a.m.
A local New York City race for district attorney is shaping up to have a political impact far beyond the Queens borough where the primary election is being held.
The campaign has become a test between left-wing and moderate Democrats.
Much attention in Tuesday's Democratic primary has gone to Tiffany Caban, 31, a public defender who has been endorsed by Queens Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the left-wing newcomer.
But Queens Borough President Melinda Katz has the backing of party leaders like Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Other candidates are former judge and Queens Assistant District Attorney Gregory Lasak, former District of Columbia Deputy Attorney General Mina Malik, former Nassau County Assistant District Attorney Betty Lugo and former New York Deputy Attorney General Jose Nieves.
The winner goes on to the November general election.
