Queens Borough President Melinda Katz entered the Queens District Attorney's race Tuesday, hoping to become the borough's first female district attorney.

But the election is almost a year away. "Well, it's not really early. The election is about 10 months away for the Democratic primary," she said. "I think it's also an extremely important office. Who the Queens District Attorney is is a major decision for the people of the borough of Queens."

Katz was elected borough president in 2013. Prior to that, she served in the City Council from 2002 to 2009.

Queens DA Richard Brown has not announced whether or not he plans to seek reelection. The 86-year-old has served in the position since 1991. There were rumors he would not seek reelection in 2015, and those rumors are even louder now. In a statement, Brown said he hadn't made any decision yet but will in the new year.

(Richard Brown has been Queens' district attorney since 1991, but there are growing rumors that he will not seek reelection in 2019).

"Right now, I announced my candidacy, and I believe that there will be a seat that is open. I think that is a question for him," Katz said. "Right now, my candidacy is out. I'm very happy that we are actually talking to voters."

Queens City Councilman Rory Lancman, who previously served three terms in state Assembly, is also seeking the position. He says neither Brown's decision, nor anyone else's, will affect his candidacy.

• How a DA Candidate Looks to Bring Nationwide Momentum for Criminal Justice Reform to Queens

"It doesn't matter to me who else is running. I wish everyone well. My message is very clear. It's built on the record I've established as a councilman, and as an Assembly member, and as a public official," Lancman said. "We need to really reform our criminal justice system, and that's what our campaign is about."

(Queens City Councilman Rory Lancman announced his campaign for Queens DA back in September. He says the next district attorney needs to be someone who will overhaul prosecutorial practices detrimental to New Yorkers).

A third candidate in the race is Judge Greg Lasak. He told us he is the only non-politician in the race and someone with the prosecutorial experience to lead the office. Lasak spent 25 years as an assistant district attorney, and 14 years on the bench.

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