Voters in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York side with tough-on-crime candidates
Progressive Prosecutors Face Setbacks in Pennsylvania and Virginia Elections
It was a tough night for progressive prosecutors in Pennsylvania and Virginia as voters opted for tough-on-crime candidates over their reform-minded opponents.
Pennsylvania Race: Zappala Emerges Victorious
In Allegheny County, an intense district attorney race ended with incumbent Stephen Zappala, a registered Democrat, reclaiming his position after an unexpected turn of events. Despite losing the primary race to public defender Matt Dugan, Zappala launched a write-in campaign and secured the Republican nomination, setting the stage for a rare rematch.
Zappala, a 25-year incumbent in the county where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1, became a focal point in the national debate on criminal justice and reform. He argued that Dugan, who lacked prosecutorial experience, would transform Allegheny County into a crime-ridden haven like San Francisco or Los Angeles. The voters seemed to agree, as Zappala emerged victorious.
Dugan had advocated for eliminating cash bail, reducing incarceration rates, and finding alternative approaches to address nonviolent crimes driven by addiction and mental illness.
Zappala, still technically a Democrat, celebrated his win at an event in Pittsburgh, emphasizing the need to address the rise in juvenile crime.
Washington County Race: Walsh Prevails
In Washington County, Republican Jason Walsh secured a win against Democratic challenger Christina DeMarco-Breeden, capturing 61% of the vote. Walsh had been appointed to the position following the death of incumbent Eugene Vittone in 2021.
During his two years in office, Walsh has made a name for himself by advocating for the death penalty and adopting a tough stance on crime. He has sought the death penalty in five out of the county’s nine murders in 2021, accounting for a significant portion of Pennsylvania’s pending capital cases.
Virginia Races: Mixed Results for Progressive Prosecutors
In Virginia, three progressive prosecutors backed by megadonor George Soros won their Democratic primaries. Parisa Dehghani-Tafti in Arlington County and Steve Descano in Fairfax County emerged victorious, while Buta Biberaj in Loudoun County lost to Robert Anderson, a former commonwealth’s attorney.
Under Biberaj’s leadership, crime rates have risen, leading to criticism from voters and political rivals who argue that she has not done enough to ensure community safety.
Despite the Virginia Public Access Project calling the race for Anderson, Biberaj has not conceded, and the final results are yet to be determined.
Broome County, New York: Battisti Stages a Comeback
In Broome County, Republican Paul Battisti made a successful comeback, winning a race he narrowly lost four years ago. Battisti secured 56% of the vote, defeating former Democratic Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan.
Battisti will assume office at the end of the year, ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
What impact did Dugan’s campaign have on the larger conversation surrounding criminal justice reform in Pennsylvania
And implementing diversion programs to address the root causes of crime. However, his progressive agenda was met with skepticism by voters who were concerned about public safety. Despite his loss, Dugan’s campaign was seen as a significant step forward for the progressive prosecutor movement in Pennsylvania, as it sparked a larger conversation about the need for criminal justice reform in the state.
Virginia Race: Miyares Defeats Parisa
Virginia’s race for attorney general also saw a setback for progressive prosecutors as incumbent Mark Herring lost to
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