The first Latino elected as district attorney in the state beamed with joy as he was sworn into office Sunday in front of his family and hundreds of supporters.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be sworn in as the 33rd district attorney of this great borough,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez after he took the oath of office at Weylin, an event venue in Williamsburg. “It feels good.”
Gonzalez, 48, ran for DA after serving as the borough’s acting top prosecutor for over a year after the death of DA Kenneth Thompson on Oct. 9, 2016.
“They say lightning doesn’t strike twice but it did here in Brooklyn,” said Lu-Shawn Thompson, Thompson’s widow. “First with my husband as the first African-American DA of Brooklyn. Now, Eric is the first Latino elected not only in Brooklyn, but in New York State.”
Gonzalez, who was sworn in by the state’s Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, previously served as a senior assistant district attorney before becoming Thompson’s second-in-command.
During the ceremony, Gonzalez vowed to continue working for the people of Brooklyn to prevent wrongful convictions, collaborate with the NYPD and execute other initiatives to keep the public safe.
“I am humbled and honored beyond my ability to express that the people of this great borough have put their faith in me as their next DA,” Gonzalez said.
The event was attended by Mayor de Blasio, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Public Advocate Letitia James and Controller Scott Stringer.
The ceremony was hosted by actor J.W. Cortes and included a special performance by salsa star Willie Colon.