Sept. 1 is Primary Election Day. With only Democrats running for Suffolk district attorney, the race will be over in September rather than in November. We have a choice to make this year, and unlike the vast majority of seats that are up for reelection, District Attorney Kevin Hayden is being challenged seemingly from his left (Rachael Rollins) and his right (Linda Champion).
I want to first acknowledge that I have endorsed both Rollins (2018) and Hayden (2022) for Suffolk district attorney. I have written op-eds about both acknowledging their work and dedication to the people of Suffolk County. I have excitedly defended them both. I even wrote a letter of support for Rollins’ appointment to be U.S. attorney.
Having said that, District Attorney Kevin Hayden should be resoundingly reelected. Kevin has dedicated decades of his life to community representation. He worked his way up from a young assistant district attorney to his appointment to district attorney. Kevin has proven publicly what so many people know of him personally: he just wants to do the work. He is not flashy. You won’t find him tweeting tirades, he doesn’t come with the quick comebacks and he doesn’t play politics.
That is why we need him. If there is anything we are growing tired of its prosecution and advocacy by clicks and social media.
The real work doesn’t happen on screen most of the time — it’s in the moments of crisis, it’s holding the surviving loved ones, it’s praying for the safe return of people who are missing, it’s house calls. Kevin does all of that. Kevin genuinely leads with his heart and most of that work is unseen.
It’s easy to judge a district attorney, or abandon one, when you don’t like the decisions they make. To bring charges against a police officer (who is innocent until proven guilty) was a difficult decision that only a district attorney can make with discernment.
While some may like or not like the decision, I don’t think there is one person who can say Kevin did it due to politics or to curry favor with the police.
I would argue the same when it comes to his choice to prosecute crimes that Rollins chose to ignore. He isn’t making political decisions. He is making prosecutorial ones based on what is best for public trust and public safety.
Fundamentally, Kevin is a man of deep faith and believes that people deserve a second chance.
He supported eviction-record sealing knowing that housing stability was fundamental to recovery and recovery was fundamental to staying out of jail. Kevin expanded the Services Over Sentencing program with $400,000 of seized drug money because “traditional court involvement is not the answer for many of the vulnerable individuals in the center or fringes of Mass and Cass. We need to present alternative solutions that identify and address the issues that brought them there in the first place… and… money seized from drug-related convictions is a fitting method to fund it.”
Another example is Hayden’s new initiative for young adults. While Beacon Hill is deciding whether to raise the age for court-involved youth to 18 years for Juvenile Court, Hayden already piloted a program. His Emerging Adult Program follows science and creates “diversionary pathways to prosecution for emerging adults (18-25 years old), connecting them with established nonprofit organizations like Roca to create individualized service plans in conjunction with an ongoing criminal case. That is justice-centered prosecution. It is also community-focused accountability that allows the young person to earn a new beginning and the community to heal.
Hayden’s justice-centered prosecution is also displayed in his recent support and contributions to the Protect Act. This new law protects courthouses, schools and hospitals from ICE (U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Hayden was also a leader in ensuring U and T visa certification special visas for human trafficking and domestic violence survivors) reforms were practical and included in the Protect Act. The process will be faster, more consistent and the reforms have been lauded by nonprofits dedicated to ending sexual exploitation and abuse.
Finally, I want to say Kevin, unlike his predecessor, has the immense respect of his fellow district attorneys. Kevin was elected by his peers to lead the Massachusetts Association of District Attorneys. In that role he leads monthly meetings about criminal justice reforms policies and trends. He is a statewide leader and voice for all justice-minded prosecutors.
In conclusion, I am asking you, the voters of Suffolk County, to vote for Kevin Hayden on Sept. 1. Kevin is a public servant who has earned your trust and your vote.
Sen. Lydia Edwards, represents the Third Suffolk (Revere, Winthrop and parts of Boston).
