The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors has winnowed to five the pool of a dozen applicants for the District Attorney position left vacant by Chief Prosecutor Mark Peterson’s resignation. At its August 1, 2017 meeting the Supervisors picked two judges and three district attorneys as finalists:
- Diana Becton (Contra Costa Superior Court judge)
- Danielle Douglas (Contra Costa Superior Court judge)
- Paul J. Graves (senior Contra Costa deputy DA)
- Thomas J. Kensok (Contra Costa assistant DA)
- Patrick Vanier (Santa Clara County deputy DA)
Their applications are posted here, and the East Bay Times has published summaries of each finalist’s experience and background. During the selection process there’s much we can do to highlight progressive positions about racial and juvenile justice, mass incarceration of people of color, bail reform, and more.
On Saturday August 12, from 1 to 3 pm, attend the free, community-led Contra Costa County Interim District Attorney Candidate Forum. Learn more about the finalists and their views on bail practices and criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, worker and consumer protection, police accountability and the environment. The program will include time for Q&A with audience members. Seating is limited, please RSVP at the Facebook event page. The event will be held at Church of the Nazarene, 1650 Ashbury Dr., Concord, CA. It’s accessible from the Concord BART station and has free parking.
And attend the Supervisors’ upcoming forum and meeting, and submit questions and comments:
- At the Board’s public forum on Tuesday August 15 at 6:00 pm the finalists will participate in a discussion moderated by former County Clerk Steve Weir.
- Submit public comments and/or questions to be posed to the finalists at the August 15 forum.
- After the forum the Board will interview the final applicants at its September 12 public meeting. The Board could make the appointment that day or at the September 19 meeting.
- Give input to your Supervisor by email, phone, or online. See a list of suggested questions to submit.
- Board meetings are held at the County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, and are streamed and broadcast on Contra Costa Television.
