Public defender Tiffany Cabán, one of seven candidates running in the crowded field for the Queens District Attorney’s Office, officially received an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Jackson Heights) today.
Change at the district attorney’s office was one of the major factors behind Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement.
“New Yorkers deserve a seat at the table and a champion who will fight to realign our priorities towards equal treatment under the law. If Tiffany Cabàn wins, things are going to change,” said Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday.
Ocasio-Cortez believes that Cabán will transform the office by going after the bad actors who truly harm local communities.
“Instead of criminalizing poverty, we’re going to dedicate resources towards prosecuting abusive landlords. Instead of targeting people who use marijuana, we can go after the drug companies that took advantage of working-class folks for profit,” said the congresswoman. “We can end broken windows policing and rebuild the relationship between our communities, and the justice system that’s supposed to work for us.”
Ocasio-Cortez hopes that under Cabán the DA’s office will be fair for all no matter their socioeconomic status.
“We can end cash bail so that the rich and poor are held equal in the eyes of the law,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “We deserve a district attorney that understands that to make our community safer we help people prosper. We deserve Tiffany Caban.”
Cabán was thrilled to have the political heavyweight on her corner.
“Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a progressive champion, a fearless warrior for working people, and an inspiration for women of color running for office across the country. I’m honored to have her endorsement,” said Cabán.
The Queens DA candidate is quickly becoming a progressive darling and with Ocasio-Cortez in her corner is hoping to use the momentum to win the election set for next month.
“As a public defender, I’ve seen firsthand how our criminal justice system oppresses and marginalizes black and brown, low-income, immigrant and LGBTQIA+ communities. I’m running to decriminalize poverty, end mass incarceration, and keep people rooted in their communities with the services they need. Alexandria’s support is a clear signal that we are building a powerful grassroots movement to deliver real social, economic and social justice for all people in Queens,” added Cabán.
The endorsement follows a recent endorsement from Amplify Her NYC, a New York City-wide grassroots political organization that works to amplify progressive women’s campaigns in all five boroughs. The organization just yesterday held a fundraiser for the freshman candidate.
The DA’s race is on June 25th.
