PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A former prosecutor in the Bucks County District Attorney's Office is taking on her former boss for the job in Tuesday’s election.
Democratic challenger Antonetta Stancu is running against incumbent Republican Matt Weintraub for Bucks County District Attorney.
Stancu points to her 18 years in criminal law, including time as a federal prosecutor and eight years with the district attorney's office.
She said one of her primary efforts would be diversionary programs.
“We're so far behind on addressing mental health in the criminal justice system," said Stancu.
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"Now after the pandemic, we've seen the symptoms of that neglect, we've seen overdose rates increase, we've seen violent crimes increase, and so mental health needs to be our No. 1 focus and our No. 1 priority.”
Weintraub has been district attorney since he was appointed in 2016. He held the seat in the 2017 election. He hopes voters look at his time in office over the past five years.
"I think if they're introspective, they'll realize that we are a very safe county to live in, to work in, to raise our families, especially when compared to Philadelphia to our south, Trenton to our east," Weintraub said, adding that he has received every major endorsement from law enforcement.
“That's very telling I think, that if you are safe and you feel safe, that you should continue to trust my judgment and my leadership, and hopefully I will be elected for another four years.”
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He said his office has focused on more than just prosecution.
“We've created a lot of diversionary programs for first-time offenders to try to get at the root of what causes people to commit crimes, whether that's diverting people into drug treatment programs or diverting people that have mental health issues," said Weintraub.
But Stancu said she doesn’t think those current efforts go far enough.
“There isn't a focus on training of the assistant (district attorneys) there on mental health. There isn't a focus on making sure that all of our law enforcement partners have the proper training for it," said Stancu. "There aren't enough diversionary programs that address this there.”
Stancu said she emphasizes a tough, but fair approach.
“Somebody who will really focus on making sure our community's priorities are at the top of my list," she said. "Right now, that is mental health."
Weintraub cited his endorsement record with law enforcement.
“I think it is very telling to note that I myself have received 100% of the endorsements of every law enforcement entity in Bucks County and across the state of Pennsylvania, and my opponent has received none of those," he said.
Stancu said while she is a Democrat, she believes she transcends the stereotype with 16 years in law enforcement.
“I've developed the respect of our law enforcement partners and of our community," she said.
"I really believe that that gives me the perspective to be able to build bridges that need to be built right now.”
