Message from Steve Toprani

Here is the message sent out to supporters from the Toprani Leadership Committee. The announcement that he would not seek a second term was widely reported by various local media outlets on Friday, and his letter to supporters was dated Feb. 18.

Here is the announcement in its entirety:

Four years ago the District Attorney’s Office was marred in corruption and scandal. I decided to run with two goals: to restore public confidence in the office and to return to the essential mission of prosecuting criminals and protecting the people of Washington County.

I am honored that the voters gave me the opportunity to do just that. When I was
elected, I brought with me a core team of experienced professionals. Together, we
removed politics from the office and prosecuted cases of local, regional, state and
national importance. Most, we became a responsible partner and a committed leader by repairing strained relationships with law enforcement.

We brought to justice those who trampled the public trust. We took drug dealers off the street. We acquired grants and used forfeitures to better equip police. We revisited cold cases and protected those most vulnerable to crime. We overhauled a dated office with new technology and policy. In short, we worked tirelessly to make Washington County safer and more secure.

I did not take this job to build a career but to earnestly address the challenges we face together. Having accomplished my core goals, it is time to serve as District Attorney without the distraction of a year-long political campaign. Therefore, I will not be a candidate for re-election.

I will spend my remaining months continuing this work and I look forward to the future; this is but the end of one chapter in my continued service to the community that I so love.

Steven M. Toprani