Albany County District Attorney David Soares is embarking on a write-in campaign to retain his position after losing a primary to Lee Kindlon. Soares, who has been in office since 2005, is critical of criminal justice reforms such as bail reform that were implemented by leaders of his own party in New York.
The 2019 reforms eliminated cash bail for mostly non-violent felony crimes, with the intention of addressing the issue of individuals who couldn’t afford bail languishing in jail for low-level offenses. However, critics argue that these policies are soft on crime and have led to instances where individuals released on bail have gone on to commit violent crimes shortly after.
Soares, a black prosecutor, emphasizes the impact of these reforms on communities, particularly on young men of color who are victims of violence. He believes that the current trajectory in criminal justice policy is irresponsible and detrimental to public safety.
The district attorney attributes his primary loss to his outspoken criticism of the bail reform and other related policies. He notes that public safety has become politicized, and any dissenting views can lead to political repercussions. As a result, Soares is running as a write-in candidate for the upcoming election.
In response to Soares’ campaign, primary winner Lee Kindlon dismisses him as a candidate, citing concerns over Soares using state funds for a personal bonus and his overall performance as district attorney. Kindlon asserts that his victory was not solely based on his support for bail reform.
Republican candidate Ralph Ambrosio is also in the race, hoping to capitalize on the division within the Democratic party caused by Soares and Kindlon. Write-in campaigns are historically challenging, but in rare instances like Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown’s successful bid for a fifth term, they can yield surprising results.
As the election approaches, the race for Albany County District Attorney remains contentious, with candidates from different parties vying for support from voters. The outcome of this election will have significant implications for the criminal justice landscape in the region.
