Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Robert Morgenthau

No More Years: 89-Year-Old Robert Morgenthau to Step Down

morgenthau_1.jpgCity Room is reporting that Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau will not seek re-election this year. Morgenthau, who will turn 90 this summer, has held the post since 1975.

His departure marks a changing of the guard and opens one ofManhattan’s plum elected posts for the first time in decades — a majordraw in a year when the overturning of term limits has left many of thecity’s ambitious younger politicians pondering their future.

This changing of the guard could also be a tremendous opportunity to make traffic justice an issue in the election of the next DA. Morgenthau's successor will replace the man whose office recently doled out a 16-day jail term to a speeding drunk driver who killed a woman and left the scene -- just one example of the cheapening of human life that livable streets advocates have, sadly, come to expect from the borough's top enforcer.

Even before today's news, Leslie Crocker Snyder had again thrown her hat in the ring. Here's hoping she and her opponents will give public safety on New York City streets the attention it sorely needs.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts