Before You Vote for Norfolk County’s Next District Attorney, Watch This

I’ll begin with an admission and a small apology.

Those of you who have been reading A Just Quincy for a while know that I sometimes suffer from a severe case of geographic tunnel vision. My attention is usually fixed on roughly a one-mile radius around Quincy City Hall, where there always seems to be another controversy brewing about an ordinance, budget debate, public records dispute, or parliamentary adventure demanding attention.

But every once in a while, something beyond that one-mile radius deserves our full attention.

The race for Norfolk County District Attorney is one of those things.

If you think you can enjoy the Summertime, when the living is easy, and keep out of politics until the leaves begin to turn, you may miss much of the real decision-making. In a blue state like Massachusetts, many of the most consequential elections are effectively decided in the September primary, not the November general election. The Norfolk County District Attorney's race is one of them. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will almost certainly become Michael Morrissey's successor.

The District Attorney sets the tone for criminal law enforcement across the entire county, including Quincy—the county’s largest municipality. The office decides how crimes are prosecuted, oversees relationships with local police departments, directs diversion and victim services, and exercises enormous discretion in how justice is administered.

Even if you never become the victim of a crime—or find yourself accused of one—the priorities and judgment of the District Attorney still affect you. The integrity of criminal investigations, confidence in prosecutions, public trust in law enforcement, and equal application of the law are not issues confined to courtrooms. They shape the quality of government for everyone who lives in Norfolk County.

In recent years, the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office has found itself at the center of national attention through the Karen Read prosecution, the Sandra Birchmore investigation, questions surrounding former State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, and other high-profile cases that have raised broader questions about public confidence in our criminal justice system.

With District Attorney Michael Morrissey not seeking reelection after sixteen years, Norfolk County voters will choose a new District Attorney this year. And for all practical purposes, that decision will be made on September 1.

Although independent candidate Joe Pagliarulo will appear on the November ballot, the Democratic nominee will enter the general election as the overwhelming favorite. If you’re planning to start paying attention to this race in late October, you’ll probably be tuning in after the most consequential election has already taken place.

If you’re wondering whether this race matters, consider this: since January 2025, the candidates have raised the better part of a million dollars to become Norfolk County’s next District Attorney. That’s an extraordinary sum for a county office—and another indication that the real election is likely to take place on September 1, not in November.

There’s another reason this race has my attention. Although Michael Morrissey is not seeking reelection, two other icons of Massachusetts politics, Congressman Stephen Lynch and Senator Ed Markey are on the ballot. All three men are considered political contemporaries of Mayor Tom Koch—a generation of leaders who, until recently, seemed almost untouchable. But in the last year, we’ve watched voters become much more willing to ask whether fresh perspectives might produce better government. Whether that appetite for change extends beyond Quincy’s municipal leadership may become one of the biggest stories of the 2026 election.

That’s why I’m happy to share this candidate forum produced by Quincy Votes!

Quincy Votes! is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing objective, impartial voter information. Rather than endorsing candidates or political parties, the organization works to increase civic participation by helping voters understand elections, candidates, and the voting process—particularly among historically underrepresented communities. Their mission is simple: provide accurate, fact-based information so voters can make informed decisions for themselves.

This forum is part of a broader effort by Quincy Votes! to educate voters. Before hosting the event, the organization asked every candidate to complete a detailed written questionnaire, then invited all seven Democratic candidates to answer questions submitted by members of the public. Whether you agree with every answer or not, Quincy Votes! has created one of the most comprehensive voter resources available anywhere in Norfolk County.

The candidates participating in the forum are:

• Jim Barakat — Public defender running as an outsider focused on reducing crime by addressing its root causes and reforming the criminal justice system.

• Greg Connor — Veteran Norfolk County prosecutor who spent 25 years in the District Attorney’s Office before leaving to run for District Attorney.

• Adam Deitch — Former federal prosecutor who says his experience investigating public corruption uniquely positions him to reform the Norfolk DA’s Office.

• Robert (Bob) Jubinville — Veteran criminal defense attorney, former Massachusetts State Police trooper, and former Governor’s Council member emphasizing courtroom experience and transparency.

• Macy Lee — Former Suffolk County prosecutor and current state agency director highlighting executive leadership and organizational reform.

• Craig MacLellan — Criminal defense attorney, former prosecutor, and Cohasset School Committee member focused on public service, transparency, and accountability.

• Djuna Perkins — Former prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General, and victims’ rights advocate running on restoring fairness, integrity, and public confidence in the office.

Quincy Votes provided a questionnaire on these candidates as well.

District attorney races rarely receive the attention they deserve. Fortunately, Quincy Votes! has done much of the homework for us by assembling both detailed written questionnaires and a forum where every candidate answers the same questions under the same rules.

If you haven’t started paying attention to this race yet, now is the time.

Watch the forum. Read the questionnaires. And if you still have questions, go ask them. These candidates are out in the community, attending events, meeting voters, and making themselves available. Take advantage of that opportunity. Then, after you've compared the candidates and made up your mind, make a plan to vote on September 1.

Michael Morrissey held the office for sixteen years. Whether the next Norfolk County District Attorney serves one term or a generation, that person will have a profound influence on the administration of justice in our county for years to come. That's a decision worth making with as much information as possible.