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Former Rep. Michael McMahon Wins Staten Island District Attorney Race

By Nicholas Rizzi | November 4, 2015 8:52am
 McMahon defeated Joan Illuzzi in the DA race on Tuesday night.
Michael McMahon Wins Staten Island District Attorney Race
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STATEN ISLAND — Former Rep. Michael McMahon won the hotly contested race for Staten Island District Attorney Tuesday, beating out longtime prosecutor Joan Illuzzi.

McMahon, a former congressman and city councilman who was running as a Democrat, defeated Illuzzi by about 3,848 votes, according to the Board of Election results.

"Across the island, people of all different ethnic backgrounds all came together and fought and said 'We want justice, integrity and fairness in the office of District Attorney,'" McMahon said.

"They came out tonight and they sent a resounding message that starting tomorrow that's what we're going to have."

When he officially steps in as Staten Island's top prosecutor, McMahon promised he would fight to increase the resources to his office and tackle the drug and gun problem plaguing the borough.

McMahon beat Illuzzi, a Republican, to replace Dan Donovan, a four-term GOP prosecutor who left the post after he was elected to Congress.

The two candidates traded barbs throughout the campaign, with McMahon criticizing Illuzzi's handling of the Etan Patz case — the trial of a man accused of killing 6-year-old Etan in 1979, which ended in a mistrial — and Illuzzi attacking McMahon for his lack of experience as a prosecutor.

Illuzzi served as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan for 27 years, but McMahon said his lack of prosecutorial experience wouldn't be a hindrance for him.

"The role of the District Attorney is not to go into court and try cases," McMahon said at last month's debate.

"For me it means getting the young lawyers and getting them training, getting them resources and the tools that they need to bring the bad guys to justice."

Near the end of his victory speech, McMahon said he would work to make sure his office treats all people fairly.

"We in Staten Island are such a wonderful mosaic that come together," he said.

"I will stand up every day, and our ADA's will go in court every day, to keep you safe and to make sure that you believe that the system of justice in Staten Island is fair. Fair for every person. Whether you wear a uniform or not."

Aside from the District Attorney race, Staten Islanders also voted former Assemblyman Joe Borelli — who ran unopposed — to the South Shore City Council seat, filling the position left vacant by Vincent Ignizio.