Biden Taps Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins For US Attorney

President Joe Biden nominated Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins for US Attorney of Massachusetts, putting her in line to be the first Black woman to become the state's top prosecutor.

Rollins, who still must be confirmed by the US Senate, has forged a reputation for progressive criminal justice policies. Her outspoken views have at times drawn the ire of police unions.

The nomination could put into motion a scramble to succeed Rollins as Boston's top prosecutor. Her four-year term runs through 2022.

If confirmed, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker would choose the Democrat's replacement until that year's election.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, who interviewed finalists for the Massachusetts positions, said in a statement she was a "great choice."

"District Attorney Rollins is a national leader on transforming the criminal justice system and shifting away from an approach based on punishment and penalization to one that combats the root causes of injustice, whether it be poverty, substance use, or racial disparity."

Rollins won 39 percent of the vote in the 2018 primary and 80 percent of the vote in the general. Prior to that she was chief legal counsel to the Massachusetts Port Authority and general counsel to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and MBTA.

Rollins also served as assistant US attorney from 2007-11. She holds degrees from Georgetown Law, Northeastern Law and UMass.

She follows Carmen Ortiz as the second woman to serve in the post.

Rollins was one of eight people whose nominations were announced Monday by the White House.

"These individuals — many of whom are historic firsts — were chosen for their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials in this field, their dedication to pursuing equal justice for all, and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice," a statement read.

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