It was just two years ago when State Senator Joe Boncore blasted on the local political scene in the special election to fill the seat vacated by Anthony Petruccelli representing the First Suffolk & Middlesex District (Boston’s North End / Waterfront, Beacon Hill, East Boston as well as Revere, Winthrop and parts of Cambridge).
Now, Sen. Boncore is seriously considering running for the wide open race for Suffolk County District Attorney, succeeding Daniel Conley who is not seeking re-election. Boncore tells the State House News Service, “Dan Conley had a great career as our district attorney and I think coming off the heels of the Legislature’s criminal justice reform bill the time is right for a district attorney who’s progressive, understands the new policies that need to come into place while still protecting and looking out for the public safety of all residents of Suffolk County.”
Boncore is an attorney, former public defender and lifelong Winthrop resident. His hometown proved key to the 2016 State Senate run where he garnered 65% of the vote. He also topped the ticket in the North End. A similar strategy could emerge for the DA’s race. Commonwealth Magazine surmises, “He could own the northern tier of Suffolk County, pulling big numbers in Revere and Winthrop, which he currently represents, as well as in East Boston and the North End, which, despite demographic change, both still claim a decent population of reliable Italian-American voters who could gravitate to a preferito figlio in the race.”
Other announced candidates, all democrats, for the DA slot include asst. DA Greg Henning, Rachel Rollins (former MassPort counsel), real estate attorney Linda Champion, Dorchester’s State Rep. Evandro Carvalho and Roca youth director/attorney Shannon McAuliffe. Candidates for district attorney must be residents of the Massachusetts Bar and a resident of the district.
See photos from Joe Boncore’s recent fundraiser in Boston’s North End.
