Eric Gonzalez won the Democratic primary for Brooklyn district attorney on Tuesday, meaning he likely will become the state’s first Latino DA.
Gonzalez, now the acting DA of Kings County (Brooklyn), won in a landslide, with 53% of the vote. He has no Republican challenger in November’s general election.
The 48-year-old Gonzalez was personally selected by District Attorney Ken Thompson — a month before Thompson’s death in October — to take over one of the largest prosecutorial offices in the country.
“Tonight we make history. I am so happy,” Gonzalez said during his 20-minute victory speech at The Williamsburg Hotel.
Since his appointment as acting DA in October, Gonzalez has maintained a friendly relationship with the Crown Heights community, hosting a neighborhood Chanukah party at the Jewish Children’s Museum, where he said he is committed to serving everyone in Brooklyn on the issues of hate crimes, anti-Semitism, domestic violence and abuse.
“We are going to keep moving forward and keep the people of Brooklyn safe, and continue to treat everyone with fairness,” he said.
DA Gonzalez was also presented with the Justice Award at the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council and Jewish Children’s Museum’s joint Legislative Brunch in May.
At a meeting last week with representatives of Brooklyn’s Jewish communities, Gonzalez heard about issues affecting the Jewish communities. He was endorsed by the Crown Heights Jewish Coalition (the community’s Political Action Committee).
