Eric Gonzalez To Become Brooklyn District Attorney

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez has been elected to officially take over the role.

The New York Board of Elections reported Gonzalez had captured 53 percent of the vote by about 9:30 p.m., after about 70 percent of poll results had been scanned.

Because all of the five other candidates who ran for the position are Democrats, there will be no general election in November. Gonzalez's victory in the primary vote means he will become the next Brooklyn District Attorney.

Gonzalez faced stiff competition from the other Democrats, several of whom, like Gonzalez, had extensive experience in the Brooklyn District Attorney's office and progressive agendas. But ultimately Gonzalez's experience as Acting Brooklyn District Attorney and endorsements from city bigwigs such as Public Advocate Letitia James, the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and the New York Times gave him the edge he needed to win the race.

Gonzalez served about twenty years with the Brooklyn District Attorney's office played a key role in the late Ken Thompson's administration. Gonzales lead the Wrongful Convictions Unit and was chosen by Thompson to be Acting District Attorney before Thompson became too sick to work in 2016.

During his campaign, Gonzalez presented himself as natural successor to Thompson, and promised to pursue a progressive agenda that will include an end to prosecuting minor offenses and bail reform.

Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.