Former Top Federal Prosecutor Throws His Hat in the Ring for Denver DA
John Walsh, a former U.S. attorney for the District of Colorado and accomplished lawyer, has announced his bid to replace Beth McCann as Denver’s next District Attorney.
Walsh, who served under President Barack Obama, is no stranger to high-profile cases. One of his most notable accomplishments was leading the prosecution in a case against Citigroup Inc. that resulted in a $7 billion settlement related to the 2008 mortgage crisis.
Walsh dipped his toe in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate before John Hickenlooper entered that race and won the seat in 2020. He also worked as a partner in the Denver office of law firm WilmerHale.
Walsh has plenty of competition in the Democratic primary, which will take place in June of 2024.
Among his opponents is Leora Joseph, the director of the state's Office of Behavioral Health and former chief deputy district attorney for the 18th Judicial District. Joseph has already raised over $114,000 in campaign contributions as of Wednesday, according to state records.
Another contender is Lisi Owen, a prisoner rights attorney, who has raised nearly $12,000 so far. Matt James, a chief deputy district attorney in McCann's office, has also thrown his hat in the ring and recently released his campaign platform, which includes using data from past cases to establish an evidence-based system for future prosecutions.
In a show of respect and unity, assistant district attorney Zach McCabe has dropped out of the race to endorse Walsh. While no promises are attached to the endorsement, McCabe and Walsh share the same values and hope to work closely together should Walsh win the election.
“Protecting the community is the first job of a district attorney and that’s where we’ve got to focus our attention,” John Walsh, former U.S. attorney for the District of Colorado said. “What does that mean? It means having swift, certain and fair consequences for people who contribute to violent crime.”
With a deep understanding and love for the city of Denver, Walsh says he is determined to tackle the pressing issue of public safety. As the recent surge in violent crimes, including the tragic shooting death of student Luis Garcia, continues to plague the city, Walsh sees protecting the community as his top priority.
But Walsh's vision for a safer Denver extends beyond just cracking down on violent crime. He also aims to prioritize fairness and equity in the justice system, something that has been lacking under McCann's leadership.
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As Walsh and his opponents gear up for the primary election, it's clear that the stakes are high. With no Republican candidates in the race so far, it's likely that the winner of the Democratic primary will become Denver's next district attorney.
Come November 2024, Denver voters will have a crucial decision to make - who will take on the challenging role of district attorney and lead the city towards a safer and more just future.