Candidate Profile 2021: Matthew Weintraub, District Attorney

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Matthew Weintraub is running for another term as District Attorney of Bucks County in 2021.

Weintraub, a Republican, has served in the position for the past five years. Democrat challenger Antonetta Stancu, a partner at Schatz & Stancu law firm, is his opponent in the race.

The general election is set for Nov. 2.

Here is Weintraub's profile, as filled out by the candidate:

Age (as of Election Day)

53

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

Wife, Kathleen, and 2 children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None

Education

William Tennent H.S. class of 1986, Ursinus College, Class of 1990, Temple Law School, Class of 1993

Occupation

Bucks County District Attorney for the last 5 years. 28 years total in law enforcement and public safety.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Bucks County District Attorney

Campaign website

https://weintraubforda.com/

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue to keep the people in my community safe.

The single most pressing issue facing our county is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our county is continued public safety. I will continue to keep our community safe by getting at the root causes of crime, whether that's addiction, mental illness, criminal behavior, or otherwise. By tailoring our prosecutions and sentences to the individual offenders and the crimes they commit, we have a much better chance to make our victims whole, to get justice for our community, while holding the offender accountable to give them the best chance for rehabilitation.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have led our office and protected our community during times of crisis, including during terrible murder investigations, like the murders of the four boys in Solebury, the murder of Danny DeGennaro, and the murder of young Grace Packer; during the opioid and covid pandemics, and during civic unrest. Leadership is easy to claim when wishing to become a leader, but the true test comes under conditions of extreme duress. While people will not always agree with my decisions, they know that every decision I've made has been made based on true principles, and not political expediency or convenience. That is leadership in action.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

I am not perfect, but I have not failed to keep my community safe in any meaningful way. My community is safer as a result of my leadership for the last 5 years, in spite of extreme once-in-our-lifetime challenges.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We've established very strong foundations in prosecuting violent crimes, and dismantling entire drug trafficking organizations, as well as in diverting people who need drug or mental health treatment into the proper programs. I've made such drug and mental health treatment cheaper, closer, and quicker to obtain in the criminal justice process than ever before. Through partnerships with local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies, I will crack down on gun violence and straw purchases of firearms through application of the Brad Fox law.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Through my leadership, our county has led the state in collection of old, expired, or unwanted medication on an annual basis during my tenure. I've established Ben's Campaign, to provide free gun locks to anyone in the county who wants one. We've increased prosecutions for drug delivery deaths, and for vehicular homicide. No one knows what challenges he will face when he runs for District Attorney, but I've managed my staff of over 100 employees successfully, and kept all of you safe during times of extreme crisis.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be yourself. Trust in who you are. Be real. Don't be afraid to admit when you make a mistake. You're human, and you will make many of them. People will follow you if you lead with integrity.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have dedicated the last 28 years of my life in service to my community. Bucks county is where I grew up. Being your District Attorney has been the best job I could have ever hoped for. We have so much more work to do to keep our community safe in creative and innovative ways. It would be my privilege to continue to serve you as your District Attorney.