[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] Citing his leadership and commitment to fighting crime and delivering justice, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today strongly endorsed Democrat Ken Thompson for Brooklyn District Attorney. The powerful endorsement from New York’s senior Senator follows Ken Thompson’s historic upset victory in the Democratic primary for Brooklyn District Attorney, on September 10th.

Senator Schumer’s announcement comes on the heels of Joe Hynes’ expected announcement, Tuesday morning, in which he’ll be explaining his decision to re-launch his reelection campaign, this time as a Republican/Conservative candidate.

At a press conference today, on the steps of Borough Hall, Senator Schumer cited Ken Thompson’s record standing up to powerful forces on behalf of everyday New Yorkers, calling him the clear choice for the people of Brooklyn who are hungry for change.

“There is a clear choice to move Brooklyn’s criminal justice forward, and that choice is Ken Thompson,” said Senator Schumer. “I’ve worked with Ken firsthand in urging the Justice Department to reopen the case of Emmett Till, who was abducted, brutally beaten, and murdered in Mississippi in 1955. And I can tell you that Ken’s commitment to justice, unquestioned integrity and experience protecting the public is exactly what we need from our borough’s top law enforcement officer. I am proud to endorse Ken Thompson because he knows what it takes to keep our communities safe and will deliver the change that Brooklyn so desperately needs.”

Asked about Mr. Hynes’ Republican candidacy, Mr. Schumer said he’s not ready to criticize or hit Mr. Hynes. Nonetheless, in his view, Mr. Thompson is the right person in the right time.

“I’m so proud to be endorsed by Chuck Schumer, our state’s senior Senator, an outstanding leader and someone who has never backed down from a tough fight on behalf of the people of Brooklyn,” said former federal prosecutor and Democratic nominee for District Attorney Ken Thompson. “In every corner of this borough, voters are looking for the same thing – someone who will move Brooklyn forward and restore integrity to our broken criminal justice system. I am honored to have Senator Schumer’s support and look forward to working with him to make our streets safe from crime and ensure all New Yorkers have a champion standing up for them.”

Unlike Mr. Schumer, Mr. Thompson did hit his opponent for joining the Republican Party after promising a smooth transition.

“Joe Hynes has run year after year for 24 years as a Democrat. He lost fairly in the Democratic primary. Now he’s turning to run in the Republican Party – the same party that shut down the government and the same party that has been trying to destroy the President of the United States of America,” Mr. Thompson charged. “The people of Brooklyn deserve better. They deserve he keep his word.”

Watch video of the press conference here:

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)