Strengthen Albany’s District Attorney Soares, a party outsider advocating for criminal justice reform.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares stands out as a vocal critic of the 2019 bail reforms that have led to a surge in crime across New York State.

Despite his strong stance, this Democrat is facing a primary challenge on June 25.

Soares has clashed with fellow party leaders, including Governor Hochul and the mayor of Albany, over various criminal justice measures passed by the Legislature.

He has publicly expressed views that many prosecutors only discuss in private.

When Soares discusses bail reform, his message extends beyond Albany County to the entire state of New York.

This primary race is crucial because Soares views the issue not through a political lens, but as a personal matter. As a black prosecutor born in West Africa, he has witnessed firsthand the impact of Albany’s criminal justice reforms on his community.

He highlights that minorities are disproportionally affected by the rise in crime resulting from these changes.

Soares initially won election in 2004 as a progressive who opposed the state’s strict Rockefeller drug laws. Throughout his tenure, he has developed alternative sentencing programs, diverted defendants into treatment, all while prioritizing public safety as a prosecutor.

His efforts paid off. Index crime in Albany County decreased by 37% during his time as DA from 2004 to 2019. However, the crime reductions achieved over his 20-year tenure are now being reversed by politicians.

The televised debate between Soares and challenger Defense Attorney Lee Kindlon provided voters with valuable insights.

Soares firmly supported amending the 2019 bail reform laws to allow judges to consider dangerousness when setting bail. He emphasized the importance of judges being able to evaluate the risk to public safety.

In contrast, Kindlon, a defense attorney, advocated for the effectiveness of bail reform in enhancing safety, without backing his claims with data.

The statistics tell a different story. The 2019 bail reforms resulted in the release of numerous career criminals from local jails in Albany County and across the state.

Following bail reform, the jail population in Albany County significantly decreased, while serious felony crimes surged by almost 22% between 2019 and 2023.

Murders, aggravated assaults, car thefts, robberies, and other crimes saw significant increases, challenging Kindlon’s assertion that these reforms improved safety.

In addition to bail reform, other measures like Raise the Age and discovery reform have also contributed to the rise in crime statewide, with Kindlon supporting these changes and Soares opposing them.

David Soares dares to challenge conventional party beliefs for the greater good. Losing his voice would not only be a loss for Albany but for all of New York state.

Jim Quinn, the former executive district attorney in the Queens District Attorney’s Office, served for 42 years. Bill Bratton is a former NYPD Police Commissioner and former LAPD Police Chief.