Onondaga County voters will see two familiar names on the ballot for district attorney when they go to the polls.
Incumbent Republican DA Bill Fitzpatrick is seeking a ninth term in office, while Democrat Chuck Keller is challenging him for the second time.
At the NAACP on Thursday night, Keller, a defense attorney of 20 years, criticized the long-time DA. He told the diverse audience at Bellegrove Missionary Baptist Church that it is time for change.
“I'm in the criminal courts every single day I see things that work, but more and more, day after day, I see things that don't work," Keller said. "I see problems. I see cases neglected. I see prosecutors untrained, unsupported, failing to get where we need to be. The whole platform is simply, I believe we can do better."
In fact, Keller said the county’s criminal justice system is functioning worse now than it has in decades, though he did not provide specifics.
For his part, the 71-year-old Fitzpatrick said it’s been a privilege to serve as DA for 32 years and would be honored to serve four more.
“I've been an innovator. I've been a national leader," Fitzpatrick said. "I've meet with elected officials in Washington and Albany, almost on a weekly basis, and I think we have one of the best, hardest working, and most diverse DA's offices in the state of New York."
Fitzpatrick also has name recognition in his favor, not the least of which comes from high-profile cases. The murder of 11-year-old Brexialee Torres Ortiz in January is one of the most recent that has generated community outcry.
"Unlike many elected DA's in the state of New York, I'm handling that case myself because as far as I'm concerned, Brexi is our daughter and she's my daughter," said Fitzpatrick.
On the other hand, Keller disagreed.
“To pick and choose one case or another, to say this person's life or this person's death is more important than another, such that I'm going to step in as the DA and I'm going to handle this one. It's just not fair to everyone else,” said Keller.
Christine Varga is also running for DA on the Conservative party line. She did not attend the candidate forum.
Early voting is underway at 10 locations across Onondaga County until November 5th. Election day is November 7th.
For more information on Onondaga County elections and voting, click here.