Steve Zappala
(click photo for candidate’s website)
Matt Dugan
(click photo for candidate’s website)
There is a contested primary election race for Allegheny County District Attorney between incumbent Steve Zappala and his Democratic challenger, Allegheny County chief public defender Matt Dugan.
There are no Republican candidates for this seat.
Matt Dugan’s answers to our voter guide questions for the Primary Election on May 16 are below. Steve Zappala did not respond to our questionnaire. You can also learn more about these two candidates in the WESA 2023 Primary Election Voter Guide.
2023 Voter Guide Questions:
Roughly 1 in 7 Allegheny County residents are food insecure and the county’s poverty rate is slightly lower at nearly 1 in 9.
1) What role do you think food insecurity and poverty play in crime in Allegheny County?
Dugan:
Most cases filed in Allegheny County involve low level, non-violent offenses driven by any one or combination of these factors:
- substance abuse disorder;
- untreated/undiagnosed mental health issues; and,
- lack of stable employment, housing, or other resources.
As Allegheny County District Attorney, I’ll work with local law enforcement agencies to divert low level, nonviolent cases out of the criminal justice system. We’ll connect defendants to mental health and/or substance abuse treatment options when appropriate. Access to services is a key factor in reducing recidivism and ensuring people have the support networks in place to live a law-abiding life and is more cost-effective in the long run.
Zappala:
No response.
2) Do you think this should affect the priorities and operations of the District Attorney’s office, and if so, how?
Dugan:
It is simultaneously possible to acknowledge the key drivers into the criminal justice system while also being a zealous advocate for victims of the crimes. The District Attorney’s Office has the power and discretion to implement positive change in the criminal justice system through reform-minded policies, thoughtful case resolutions that benefit both victims and defendants, and working to enact forward-thinking and preventative measures that will reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
Zappala:
No response.
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