Prosecutorial Politics and The Impact of Protecting Americans Action Fund

August 21, 2023
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Arlington, VA – With crime rising across the country, Politico reported that local prosecutor races are gaining more attention.

In the past year, the far-left has spent over $40 million to elect liberal prosecutors who often advocate for criminals instead of standing with the victims and properly enforcing our laws.

These prosecutors are now held accountable for their inaction, as many have quit or decided not to seek reelection.  Protecting Americans Action Fund is now fighting back, electing prosecutors who will enforce our laws.

“The far-left has made local prosecutor races the venue on whether we want a prosecutor who will enforce our laws or act as the de-facto defense attorney,” said Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares.  “Protecting Americans Action Fund was created to elect prosecutors who will do their job, which is to prosecute crimes and to stand with victims. Last year we won 70% of our races, and this fall, we target races in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.”

 “Prosecutors have a duty to enforce the law. Unfortunately, a number of activist District Attorneys refuse to do so, which is a dereliction of that duty,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.  “Protecting Americans Action Fund is dedicated to electing individuals who are committed to the rule of law and restoring safety in our communities.”

“In New York, retail theft is rampant, which has a trickle-down effect that hurts the small business owner, their employees, and the entire neighborhood,” said former New York Congressman John J. Faso.  “In New York, especially Manhattan, we need prosecutors who will enforce our laws, and it will have a profound impact across New York City and our state.”

BACKGROUND:

Local prosecutor races are under a national spotlight. “District attorney races haven’t historically drawn the same attention as presidential or even House or Senate contests. But local prosecutors are increasingly under a national spotlight amid the ongoing debate over sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimum sentences and violent crime. Now, with America at a criminal justice crossroads, their campaigns are beginning to get a lot more attention than ever before — including in the 2024 presidential primary.” (Politico, 08/16/23)

The elected district attorneys decide which laws to enforce. “But sentencing laws merely set the terms for the people on the frontlines of crime and punishment: the elected district attorneys are the ones deciding whom to charge with what. And that’s put a new generation of progressive, reform-minded DAs in the headlines.” (Politico, 08/16/23)

Liberals are using local prosecutor races to circumvent the legislative branch and enact criminal justice reform. “They have risen to power in recent years, buoyed by a racial justice reckoning and deep-pocketed donors that can counter the spending of the law enforcement interests that have sought to defeat them. Supporters hail it as a new era in criminal justice, but a backlash has many of those prosecutors fighting for their political lives as Republicans hammer them for being soft on crime, seeing an obvious vulnerability as violent offenses leaped in many cities after having plummeted to historic lows.” (Politico, 08/16/23)