Middlesex County DA Marian Ryan touts ‘experience and representation’ in her reelection bid

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan is running for reelection in September’s Democratic primary. If reelected, it would be her fourth term in the position.

Ryan’s campaign is emphasizing her “experience and representation,” with the candidate saying “I’ve never been more qualified on both of these fronts to continue doing this work.”

A Massachusetts native, Ryan grew up in Somerville and currently lives in Belmont. She graduated from Emmanuel College in 1976 and Boston College Law School in 1979. Ryan began working in the Middlesex DA’s Office after law school, serving as an assistant district attorney, the chief of the Domestic Violence Unit and the chief of the Elder and Disabled Unit.

Ryan was first appointed to the Middlesex DA position in 2013 when the elected DA stepped down. She won her first full four-year term in November 2014.

In both campaign material and in a recent interview with The Waltham Times, Ryan shared highlights of her time in office as well as her priorities if she is reelected.

As DA, she created a Cold Case Unit and a Conviction Integrity Unit.

In response to the opioid crisis, Ryan and her team in the 2010s created a unique opioid task force consisting of a mixed team of first responders and social service professionals to prevent further addiction and support those currently affected by the opioid crisis. She has pointed to 2017 statistics as evidence of success, saying the county saw a 11.5% decline in fatal opioid overdoses in 2017.

Ryan also noted her work serving immigrant communities, noting that in 2019 she won a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to prevent them from taking defendants during court proceedings. Ryan said she also supports the recently passed Massachusetts PROTECT Act, which prevents ICE from entering schools, courthouses and hospitals.

Looking ahead, Ryan said she plans to continue addressing the changing landscape of crime, tackling modern problems such as the nudification of individuals in photos via AI and cryptocurrency scams.

“We’ve already accomplished a great deal and will continue a lot of that work,” Ryan said. 

A unique and personal perspective on prosecution

Ryan believes she has a unique perspective not offered by any other DA: In 1980 Ryan was a victim of an attempted robbery during which she witnessed the murder of her boyfriend. Ryan said this experience and the following court proceedings allow her to fully understand the impact that violent crime and criminal prosecution can have on a person.

Additionally, Ryan believes that as the only woman DA in the state, she holds an important seat at the table. “When you think about sexual violence, domestic violence, reproductive health … my voice should be in the conversation,” she said.

In terms of endorsements, Ryan wants people to know that she intentionally took herself out of the running for police union endorsements.

“In the national reckoning after George Floyd, I signed a pledge that I would never seek or take endorsements from police unions,” Ryan said. “I work closely with the police, but I do not work for them. My responsibility is protecting the public safety of this county.”

Ryan, who will face former employee David Solet in the Democratic Party primary, has rebuffed his and others’ criticism of some of her positions.

“My opponent likes to say that I’m singlehandedly the person who has the Midas touch who could move things along. It’s half-telling the story to say that it’s my fault that legislation didn’t pass,” Ryan said. “Campaigns should be about the future, not failed efforts in the past.”

The Middlesex District Attorney primary will take place along with other primary races on Sept. 1 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at precinct locations around the city. Residents can use an online tool on the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website to find their polling location. Early voting for the primary takes place Aug. 22 through 28 at the Rosario Malone Archive and Records Center at 260 Grove St. More information can be found on the City of Waltham website.