District Attorney Candidate Forum, Sponsored by Black Westchester

From Kenneth Chamberlain Jr.:

At present, two of the three District Attorney candidates, Adeel Mirza and William Wagstaff III, have committed to active participation in this critical debate. However, an email from Doug Forand, representing the Cacace for DA campaign, implies a hesitancy to confirm participation until after the ballot is finalized, signaling an attitude that may be perceived as presumptuous and dismissive of the democratic process.

Cacace’s selection by the Democratic committee does not guarantee success in the June primary. Recent electoral history demonstrates that the democratic nominee chosen by party leaders may not necessarily secure victory in the general election. The 2019 case of Mimi Rocah serves as an example overcoming the party’s initial choice, she clinched both the primary and general elections.

The Cacace campaign ought to acknowledge that district leaders, while influential, do not represent the entirety of the electorate and the democratic nominee’s reluctance to engage in a public forum raises legitimate concerns about transparency. This stance, coupled with an assumed victory based on a nomination, carries the risk of fostering a false sense of entitlement.

While the decision to attend the debate ultimately rests with Susan Cacace, it is paramount for the electorate to interpret this a failure to be inclusive and transparent. Democratic nominees shoulder the responsibility to actively engage in public discourse, contributing to a fair and informed electoral process that aligns with the democratic ideals we collectively cherish.

In the interest of promoting civic engagement and ensuring the integrity of our democratic process, we kindly implore you to share the enclosed flyer with your respective networks. Together, let us work towards fostering awareness and informed civic participation, thereby upholding the core tenets of our democratic system.