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GOP judge wins NYC seat for first time in more than 100 years: political insiders
Etan C. Harris appears to have won a Brooklyn civil court judgeship, potentially becoming the first Republican to defeat a Democrat for the District 8 seat in 105 years. The result is notable in a borough where Republicans lost nearly all their Assembly and Senate races, and party leaders say it shows a Democratic endorsement does not guarantee victory.
Unofficial tallies gave Harris 50.91% of the vote, about a two-point lead over Democrat Susan Lieberman. Harris, a Sheepshead Bay resident and civil litigation attorney for 16 years, ran on Republican and Conservative lines and campaigned as a “law and order” candidate; he had not officially claimed victory when the article was published.
In short
- Harris appears to have won Brooklyn’s District 8 civil court race.
- He received 50.91% in unofficial tallies.
- The result could mark the district’s first Republican win in 105 years.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Harris’s apparent win may show that voters value judicial candidates’ experience and public-safety credentials, and that local contests can reward a candidate even in a strongly Democratic area. Supporters may also see it as evidence that party endorsements should not substitute for voters’ independent judgement.
The case against
A narrow lead in unofficial tallies does not yet establish a final result, and the race may reflect local factors rather than a broader shift in political support. Critics may also question whether “law and order” campaigning and party backing are the best basis for choosing judges, whose role calls for impartiality and independence.
Explained simply
Brooklyn’s District 8 is one of New York City’s civil court districts. Civil courts handle disputes such as claims over money or property, rather than criminal trials. Judges are elected, and candidates can appear on more than one party’s ballot line.
Etan C. Harris is a civil litigation lawyer from Sheepshead Bay who ran on Republican and Conservative lines. His opponent, Susan Lieberman, ran as a Democrat. Brooklyn usually votes heavily Democratic, so a close contest for a judgeship there stands out against the borough’s broader election pattern.
Party endorsements can help candidates gain visibility and support, but voters choose judges directly. The result may therefore interest local parties as they assess how much influence their endorsements have in future elections.