Campaign officials will reconvene on Friday to discuss how the recount will proceed. | AP Photo Katz pulls ahead of Cabán in Queens DA primary, prompts recount

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz has pulled ahead of public defender Tiffany Cabán by 20 votes in the Democratic primary for Queens district attorney, city Board of Election officials said Wednesday night.

The lead is narrow enough to prompt a recount — another dramatic turn in a local race that has garnered national attention.


Cabán's candidacy was backed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez along with presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. Before Wednesday’s count, Cabán — a 31-year-old public defender — had a lead of 1,199 votes over Katz, a 53-year-old longtime politician. Katz picked up enough votes following Wednesday’s count to put her in the lead by roughly 20 votes.

Cabán's success on election day was seen as another victory of the left wing of the party over establishment Democrats, but those assumptions may have been premature.

Ahead of the full recount, Katz was declaring victory Wednesday night.

“I am proud to have been chosen as the Democratic nominee for Queens District Attorney," she said in a statement issued by her campaign. "We know that these numbers can and will be subject to recount, and there may be legal challenges, but what matters most is the will of Queens voters. Not the interest groups, not the donors from outside our community, and not even the candidates. This is Democracy. It is contested and at times contentious, it is about voters choosing between different experiences and visions, and it is a system that ultimately puts the decisions of governance in the hands of the people."

Cabán spokesperson Monica Klein expressed confidence she would emerge the winner following a recount.

"Queens voters are inspired by Tiffany Cabán's campaign and her vision for real criminal justice reform," Klein said. "If every valid paper ballot vote is counted, we are confident we will prevail."

The BOE on Wednesday counted 3,552 absentee ballots and 487 valid affidavits. The Cabán campaign said more than 2,500 affidavit ballots were rejected by the board and they plan to argue those votes should be counted.



Campaign officials will reconvene on Friday to discuss how the recount will proceed.