CLINTON HILL — Kenneth Thompson toppled 20-year incumbent Charles Hynes in the hotly contested race for Brooklyn District Attorney Tuesday night, becoming the borough’s first black DA.
Thompson was declared the winner with 74.8 percent of the vote, while Hynes received 25.2 percent, with 99 percent of precincts reporting, capping one of the campaign season’s most contentious contests.
It was the second time this election season that Hynes lost to Thompson. The outgoing DA was previously beaten during the Democratic primary, before running in the general election on the Republican line.
“I am truly grateful and deeply humbled, for the people of Brooklyn have taken a man who started out in life with the odds stacked against him and made him the next district attorney of Brooklyn,” Thompson said in his acceptance speech.
Hynes’ loss came after his two-decade tenure as Brooklyn’s top prosecutor was marred by several recent scandals.
Hynes has been accused of not prosecuting abuse cases in the insular Hasidic community, and his office also faced criticism after an investigation revealed problems with former Brooklyn detective Louis Scarcella’s tactics, causing a judge to overturn a murder conviction earlier this year. One of the investigated cases, which was prosecuted by Hynes, resulted in parole for the convicted man just last week.
“We must ensure that no man or woman is convicted wrongfully again,” Thompson said in his speech. “We must free all the people who have been convicted wrongfully.”
Yes, some Jewish communities vote for someone believing that if he or she sees their votes they will recognize, appreciate and be good to the Jews. I don’t think history has shown this to be the case. Aside from this, there are not enough Jewish voters in a community like Crown Heights to make an overwhelming difference in the mind of a prospective winner. Best to stick to your principles and vote for whoever you or the community in general believes to be the better party. People don’t respect Jews when they make decisions based on fear or intimidation.
BS”D
Thompson said in his speech. “We must free all the people who have been convicted wrongfully.”
IE
make sure no blacks go to prison
IY”H CH Jewish community will benefit from this as we where the ONLY frum community to vote strong for him by the primary. Jewish polling sites show 62% majority for Ken Thompson.
The Rebbe warned hynes not to prosecute the community only to protect . He went after shuchat and he lost
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtbxRxYHon8
This is what happens when hynes goes after shuchat