Ex-Democrat Maud Maron Takes on Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg Over NYC Crime Crisis

In a bold move to challenge the status quo, Maud Maron, a former progressive who shifted to the conservative Republican side after a fallout with Democrats over the 'defund the police' movement, is now running to unseat Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Maron, a seasoned attorney and mother of four, is sounding the alarm on what she calls a dire public safety crisis in New York City under Bragg’s leadership.

Speaking passionately about the state of the city, Maron painted a grim picture of crime spiraling out of control. She highlighted a shocking incident where a criminal slashed police officers inside a Manhattan courthouse—an event she says has become disturbingly normalized due to Bragg’s lenient policies. Since taking office in 2022, Maron claims Bragg’s initial directive to his team was to avoid prosecuting entire categories of crimes and to minimize charges and jail time. 'That’s a blueprint for chaos and violence on our streets,' she argued, 'and we’re seeing the results every day.'

As a lifelong New Yorker, Maron feels the decline personally. She described the subways—used by over 300,000 public school students daily, including her own children—as having become filthy and dangerous. 'We’ve seen people set on fire, slashed, and hurt,' she said, emphasizing that this isn’t just a safety issue but a failure of compassion for both victims and the mentally ill who are left unsupported. She firmly rejects Bragg’s ideology, calling it neither progressive nor humane.

If elected, Maron promises a stark reversal with her 'People’s Plan for Public Safety,' a day-one memo that would prioritize law and order, accountability, and community protection. She aims to empower assistant district attorneys to fully prosecute crimes rather than downgrade charges, directly countering Bragg’s approach. 'We can’t keep focusing on keeping offenders out of jail while ignoring victims and future risks,' she insisted.

Despite New York City’s deep-blue reputation, Maron sees a path to victory. She believes widespread frustration with Bragg’s soft-on-crime stance—shared by independents and moderates across party lines—could turn the tide. 'People are deeply unhappy with this public safety crisis,' she noted. 'It’s about getting them to the polls.'