Queens D.A. Primary Too Close to Call, as Cabán Narrowly Leads Katz – The New York Times

“I ran because for too long too, many communities in Queens haven’t had a fair shot in the criminal justice system,” Ms. Cabán said.

Ms. Katz had the institutional support of the Queens County Democratic machine, and her candidacy was seen by some as a test of the traditional power bases that typically dictate election results in Queens.

“We always knew this was going to be tough, because if wasn’t tough, it wouldn’t be a race,” Ms. Katz said, to chants of “Count every vote!” at an Irish bar in Forest Hills, where her watch party was held.

Last year, the local party suffered what was seen then as an unimaginable defeat, with its leader, Joseph Crowley, losing his House primary to Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. In Tuesday’s contest, the party, along with several powerful unions, heavily backed Ms. Katz — even criticizing Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren for endorsing Ms. Cabán.

“If Cabán wins, Queens wants revolutionary change,” said Bruce Gyory, an adjunct professor of political science at the University at Albany. “If Katz wins, they want evolutionary change and are not completely ready to break with the past.”

Whoever wins will be an overwhelming favorite in November’s general election against the Republican candidate, Daniel Kogan.

If Ms. Katz should lose, “it would be a huge loss for the machine,” said Christina Greer, an associate professor of political science at Fordham University. “Cabán made some strong arguments to voters about a new vision for a 21st century district attorney.”