The district attorney shall sign all bills of indictment and conduct in court all criminal and other prosecutions, in the name of the Commonwealth, or, when the Commonwealth is a party, which arise in the county, and perform all the duties which now by law are to be performed by deputy attorneys general, and receive the same fees or emoluments of office.
With one week remaining before the 2023 municipal general election, another important down-ballot race to watch in some Pennsylvania counties is for District Attorney.
The chief law enforcement officer of the county, the district attorney is mandated by law to sign all bills of indictment and conduct in court all criminal and other prosecutions in the name of the Commonwealth. S/he is also a minister of justice and must exercise her/his duties with complete impartiality.
Here is a look at the races around the Commonwealth. (* indicates incumbent)
Contested (10)
Allegheny. (D) Matt Dugan. (R) Stephen Zappala*
A rare rematch in the race for Allegheny County district attorney comes down to crime and voters in the middle. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Challenger Dugan threatens Zappala’s 25-year grip on Allegheny County DA’s Office. (Tribune-Review)
A look at Matt Dugan’s policies in the race for Allegheny County district attorney. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
A look at Stephen Zappala’s policies in the race for Allegheny County district attorney. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
In Pittsburgh Region, Criminal Justice Reformers Face Off Against Old Guard. (Bolts)
Beaver. (D) Nate Bible. (R) David J. Lozier*
Beaver County’s candidates for district attorney share their goals. (Beaver County Times)
Butler. (R) Richard A. Goldinger*. (I) Jen GV Gilliland Vanasdale.
Incumbent district attorney sees Independent challenger. (Butler Eagle)
Chester. (D) Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe. (R) Ryan L. Hyde.
Two Vie For Chester County District Attorney. (Daily Local)
Delaware. (D) Jack Stollsteimer*. (R) Beth Stefanide-Miscichowski.
Delco’s DA defends his seat as he and his opponent discuss a ‘spillover’ of crime from Philly. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
GOP candidate for DA says Stollsteimer running stealth campaign for attorney general; he says no decision yet. (DelcoTimes)
Delaware County DA Candidate Blasts ‘Skyrocketing’ Crime Statistics. (DelcoTimes)
Fayette. (D) Jack W. Connor. (R) Mike Aubele.
Two Vie For Fayette DA Post. (Uniontown Herald-Standard)
Fulton. (D) Phil Harper. (R) Eric John Weisbrod.
Monroe. (D) Mike Mancuso. (R) Alex Marek.
Monroe County DA Candidates Tackle Topics at Forum. (Lehighton Times News)
Union. (D) Brian L. Kerstetter. (R) Robyn Zenzinger.
Judges Decline to Appoint Kerstetter as Union County DA. (Daily Item)
Washington. (D) Christina Demarco-Breeden. (R) Jason Walsh*
Competitive Race for District Attorney In Washington County. (Washington Observer-Reporter)
One Candidate on Ballot (40)
Adams. (R) Brian Sinnett
Bedford. (R) Ashlan J. Clark.
Berks. (D) John T. Adams*
Bradford. Richard A. Wilson.
Cambria. (R) Greg Neugebauer*
Cameron. (R) Paul J. Malizia*
Carbon. (R) Michael S. Greek*
Clarion. (R) Drew Welsh*
Clearfield. (R) Ryan P. Sayers*
Clinton. (D) Dave Strouse*
Columbia. (D) Daniel Lynn.
Crawford. (R) Paula DiGiacomo*
Cumberland. (R) Sean McCormack *
Dauphin. (R) Fran Chardo*
Elk. (R) Beau Grove*
Erie. (R) Elizabeth Hirz*
Forest. (D) Alyce Marie Busch*
Franklin. (R) Ian M. Brink.
Greene. (R) Brianna Vanata.
Huntingdon. (R) Dave Smith*
Indiana. (R) Bob Manzi*
Juniata. (R) Cory J. Snook*
Lancaster. (R) Heather L. Adams*
Lehigh. (R) Gavin Holihan.
Luzerne. (R) Sam Sanguedolce*
Lycoming. (R) Tom Marino.
McKean. (R) Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer*
Mercer. (R) Peter C. Acker*
Mifflin. (R) Christopher R. Torquato*
Montgomery. (D) Kevin Steele*
Montour. (R) Angela Mattis*
Northampton. (D) Stephen G. Baratta
Northumberland. (R) Michael C. O’Connell.
Perry. (R) Clay Merris
Pike. (R) Ray Tonkin*
Snyder. (R) Heath Brosius.
Somerset. (R) Molly Metzgar*
Susquehanna. (R) Marion O’Malley*
Tioga. (R) Sandra K. Olson
Wayne. (R) A.G. Howell*
No Election for DA in 2023 (17)
Armstrong, Blair, Bucks, Centre, Jefferson, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Lebanon, Philadelphia, Potter, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Venango, Warren, Westmoreland, Wyoming, York.