Her Honesty & Early Announcement Should be Commended
By Dan Murphy
Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah made a surprise announcement last week when she announced that she would not seek reelection when her first, four-year term ends in 2025. Rocah was elected in 2021 when she defeated then DA Anthony Scarpino.
Rocah’s announcement, made two years before her next possible election, and her decision to step aside despite the likelihood of an easy reelection for years to come, proves that “I do not fit the mold of a career politician.”
“This has been a difficult decision but one that is right for me and my family at this time. As I approached the decision whether to run for a second term, my thoughts have been occupied in recent weeks by the terrorist attack on Israel and the aftermath, which has profoundly and personally impacted me in ways that I did not expect. I do not know what my next role will be. But I do know that I will work to raise public awareness and advocate for the extremely necessary ethical reforms for our country, continue to fight for truth and justice, and work on pressing national and world-wide issues.”
“I am tremendously proud of what we have accomplished. Driving change at any level is challenging, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic and massive changes in discovery rules. I am grateful to the career prosecutors and staff who have stepped up to new challenges during tough times, and our newer hires who are helping usher in a new era of criminal justice. What we have achieved together is remarkable.”
“I do not fit the mold of a career politician. I have approached the role of DA as I have always approached being a prosecutor over the past 20 years: I make decisions about cases and policies based on facts, law, public safety, and what is the right thing to do. I have never made decisions based on political or personal motivations.”
While every DA will have their detractors, most believe that Rocah was fair and was able to balance prosecutions for violent crime with compassion for lower-level offenses, including marijuana crimes.
In another statement, Rocah, wrote in the days after the attack by Hamas on Israel. “I write to you with a very heavy and broken heart. I write as your District Attorney, who is a Jewish woman and a daughter of a Holocaust survivor, devastated by the unthinkable atrocities we have witnessed this past week. The unconscionable violence and terrorism by Hamas–the kidnapping and slaughter of families in their homes, burning people alive, raping young women, and dragging their bloody bodies through the streets–is nothing less than evil.
“The history and politics of the Mideast is plainly complex. However, condemning acts of violence carried out by a terrorist organization should not be up for debate. As much as I have been angered by those seeking to use this moment of terror to advance a political agenda, I have been heartened by the much broader outpouring of support for the Israeli people in this most distressing moment.
“As your DA, I want you to know that ensuring the safety and security of everyone–of all faiths–throughout the county remains my number one responsibility. That’s why I am using the power of my Office to work with local, state, and federal officials to monitor threats to any and all communities at this time. I also pledge to continue to fight hate in all forms against all groups by aggressively prosecuting hate and bias motivated crimes, educating the public, and building trust.
“As an elected leader, it is my duty to publicly and unequivocally condemn the atrocities that happened in Israel. We should hope and expect that all elected leaders, whatever their views on issues, do the same. On a personal note, I ask that you please reach out to your Jewish friends, because even if they seem ok, they are not. They feel especially vulnerable and scared right now and I am certain that hearing from their friends brings great comfort,” stated Rocah.
We appreciate your honesty and candor, and your ability to step away from a prominent position.
