BOSTON, MA (AP) — A former federal prosecutor who has pledged to help curb mass incarceration and racial disparities in the criminal justice system has been elected the top prosecutor for Boston and nearby communities.
Democrat Rachael Rollins defeated independent Michael Maloney on Tuesday to become the first woman of color to be elected district attorney in Massachusetts.
The former federal prosecutor will also be the first female district attorney for Suffolk County, which also includes the communities of Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop.
Rollins will replace John Pappas, who was named district attorney when longtime prosecutor Dan Conley resigned in September to join a private firm.
Rollins has promised to not prosecute certain low-level crimes, to push for becomes the the district attorney's office.
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