Attorney Robert Siano and Appellate Division Judge Darcel Clark are vying for a chance to be the first new district attorney in the Bronx in more than a quarter-century. It's a final minute race — longtime District Attorney Robert Johnson dropped out just final month,after winning both the Democratic and Republican primaries.
That allowed the Bronx Democratic and Republican organizations to handpick candidates for the general election. Clark is the Democratic nominee, and Siano's been selected by the Bronx GOP.
Both candidates consider their experience makes them the suitable fit for the job, and they told WNYC's Jaimi Floyd in this interview. Clark is a longtime prosecutor and most recently a state appellate division judge. Siano has worked in private practice and children's services.
Either candidate will have a tough set of issues to face. The Bronx DA has jurisdiction over the troubled Rikers Island jail complex, and the office has been plagued with an extensive backlog of cases and low conviction rates.
Source: wnyc.org