Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg easily won his reelection Tuesday, despite the prosecutor’s soft-on-crime reputation that is often associated with his ties to liberal financier George Soros.
Mr. Bragg claimed 74% of the vote, soundly defeating Republican contender Maud Maron and independent challenger Diana Florence.
The Manhattan DA, along with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, remains one of the two most prominent so-called “progressive prosecutors” who have received campaign cash from Mr. Soros. Mr. Krasner won his reelection Tuesday as well after facing a competitive primary this spring.
Mr. Bragg is best known for prosecuting President Trump last year over hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The trial saw the now-sitting president convicted of 34 charges related to business fraud. Political opponents gleefully referred to Mr. Trump as a “felon” throughout his 2024 campaign as a result of the convictions. Mr. Trump appealed the verdict last month.
But Mr. Bragg, who campaigned on prosecuting shooters and closing more sex-crime cases, became known in New York City for the leniency he granted criminals — a trademark of prosecutors who are backed by Mr. Soros.
An internal memo circulated shortly after he took office in 2021 directed prosecutors to downgrade some felony charges for crimes such as armed robbery. He also instructed the prosecutors to avoid pushing for prison time in other cases.
Outside of Mr. Trump’s prosecution, the Manhattan DA also pursued manslaughter charges against subway rider Daniel Penny.
Mr. Penny fatally subdued Jordan Neely on a train in May 2023 after the homeless Neely boarded the car and began menacing passengers.
The case captured national attention due in part to the rise in subway crime in the city, as well as the fact that Mr. Penny is White and Neely was Black. A jury acquitted Mr. Penny, a former Marine, of all charges.
