I am officially declaring my candidacy for Norfolk County District Attorney.
With the stroke of a pen, the District Attorney can change a family’s life forever. The person entrusted with the tremendous power to decide what and whom to prosecute must be someone with the highest level of skill, judgment, and integrity.
Thirty years ago, I chose a career in law to rectify the injustices I saw around me and to fight for those whose voices might otherwise be ignored. My legal career – including ten years serving as an Assistant District Attorney and Assistant Attorney General, and twenty in private practice – has led me to the belief that current leadership in the district attorney’s office has failed its residents.
Norfolk County must do better. Every resident deserves to feel safe, to be treated fairly, and to trust that no one is above the law. The damage to the justice system and the safety of our communities caused by mistrust of the current District Attorney is devastating.
I never envisioned running for public office, but in the current climate, I cannot stand by and do nothing. My life’s work—in the courtroom, in schools and colleges, and in the workplace--has involved holding offenders accountable for some of the worst acts human beings can commit, while also ensuring a fair process that results in smart, just outcomes that are trusted by the community and improve safety. The depth and breadth of my experience gives me the unique ability to substantially reform and rebuild a critically damaged government agency.
As District Attorney, I will demand excellence and the highest ethical standards. Prosecutions will be driven by a dogged determination to find the truth with respect for due process and an open mind free of bias, fear, or favor. I will aggressively prosecute those who prey on and cause harm to others, and I will use all available tools to achieve justice, prevent recidivism, and break cycles of incarceration, addiction, and poverty. I will build collaborative relationships between the district attorney’s office and every community in Norfolk County to enhance public safety and restore the public’s trust in our criminal justice system.