A Democrat candidate for the district attorney position in Nassau County, New York, Nicole Aloise, is under fire after promoting a job opening that encouraged people with criminal records to apply. The role of communications director could earn up to $7,000 monthly, but inclusive language such as “people with a criminal record are encouraged to apply” has sparked uproar from her opponent.
Incumbent Republican District Attorney Anne Donnelly expressed her disapproval during an interview with Fox News. She criticized the trend of being lenient towards criminals since reforms like cashless bail and providing free legal aid have taken place. Donnelly emphasized that her primary duty is to advocate for victims and bring criminals to justice, illustrating a growing concern about the neglect of victim rights in such discussions.
The ad, initially posted on Indeed.com, later had the clause about criminal applicants taken down, and the listing has since expired.
On the morning show “Fox & Friends First,” Donnelly elaborated that while she supports second chances for those who have served their time, inviting convicted criminals into the “core of her campaign for the top law enforcement position in the county” reflects a naive perspective on the role of a district attorney.
She pointed out that this position deals with sensitive and confidential information, which should be handled by trustworthy personnel, not by those with criminal backgrounds.
Various localities have laws against discriminating based on criminal history, as highlighted by a report from The New York Post.
Reacting to the criticism, Aloise’s campaign manager, Ellen McCormick, defended her boss, stating that Aloise has dedicated 16 years to incarcerating violent offenders. She argues that Donnelly’s focus on the ad is an attempt to distract from her own shortcomings and past campaign fundraising performance. McCormick cited that crime had surged by 44% under Donnelly’s leadership, with many experienced prosecutors leaving her office.
To this, Donnelly responded dismissively, calling the claims “disingenuous.” She asserted that crime rates in important categories were down throughout Nassau County and even mentioned a recent accolade that designated it as one of the safest counties in the US by US News and World Report. Additionally, Donnelly countered that she had actually outpaced Aloise in fundraising, raising $500,000 more than her competitor.
Original article source:Nassau County DA Candidate Faces Backlash for Welcoming Criminals to Apply for Campaign Role
