In Bronx DA Race, the incumbent faces a challenge from the left

When asked about a federal takeover of Rikers, Ms. Clark said she was “for anything that would bring justice, that would make Rikers Island more humane and safer, but it’s not my call.”

Mrs. Clark is leading the race by some traditional campaign markers. She has more money to hand — $281,000 according to a report filed June 16, compared to just under $16,000 for Ms. Cohen — and the support of numerous unions and Democratic Party heavyweights, including Sen. Chuck Schumer, Attorney General Letitia James, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and House Speaker Carl E. Heastie.

“Darcel is a strong candidate. She’s been a lifelong Bronxite. She knows very well what the problems of the Bronx are, and I just don’t see the challenger bringing that to the table,” said Virginia Krompinger, president of the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Party. Club, which supported the incumbent party.

Ms. Cohen has won the support of voters and organizations explicitly seeking change – including a number of formerly incarcerated people who were acquitted. Amanda Litman, the co-executive director of Run for Something, a progressive group that recruits political candidates, said her group supported Ms. Cohen because “she knows the system inside out, she has a really strong progressive vision for what the office can do are and what the office can do.”

Turnout in the New York City primary is not expected to be high — and it remains to be seen how focused voters are on the Bronx district attorney.

Ayisha Khalid, a student studying political science and criminal justice, answered the door when Ms. Cohen knocked, listened to her pitch and seemed to appreciate the candidate’s ideas about giving second chances to people who commit crimes. Still, she said, “I need to read more about it because I had no idea.”