Jeff Rosen’s Running for District Attorney Announcement Speech
Thank You Ms. Lawanna Walker
Ms. Walker, you gave me strength during the trial. You waited 15 years for your daughter’s murderer to be brought to justice. You never gave up hope that justice would come. Neither did generations of dedicated police officers. And neither did I. It was my great honor and privilege to be part of the law enforcement team that brought Lavonna’s murderer to justice — for you and for our community.
Introduction
My name is Jeff Rosen. Today, I formally announce my candidacy to be the next District Attorney of Santa Clara County. A District Attorney for the People. I have introduced myself in court as “Jeff Rosen for the People” hundreds of times and it never gets old — it is an honor and privilege to represent the People and seek justice on their behalf.
People come to Santa Clara County, to Silicon Valley from every state in America and every continent of the world. I myself am an immigrant’s son — my father came from Poland after World War II. People come here for the promise of freedom, opportunity and prosperity, all of which depend on, public safety, justice in our courts, the rule of law, and a District Attorney who adheres to a high ethical standard.
I love this community. With my wonderful wife Amber, we are raising two amazing daughters in this beautiful and diverse community.
My Career
I have spent most of my adult life working as a Deputy District Attorney fighting for justice and public safety for the People of Santa Clara County. One of my earliest trials involved a defendant who banged on the car of an elderly woman and tried to spit on her because he thought she was taking too long at the gas pump. That elderly women reminded me of my grandmother. That woman could have been anyone’s grandmother. I was passionate about pursuing justice in that case, as I have been in hundreds of other cases that I have successfully prosecuted — involving drug trafficking, burglary, robbery, rape, child molestation, gang violence, and murder. The cases may change, but the passion is always there.
I Am Running For D.A. Because I Love The District Attorney’s Office
I also love the Office of the District Attorney, where I have worked for more than 14 years, side by side with many outstanding prosecutors, investigators, and support staff. I am running for District Attorney because I love the D.A.’s Office and what it is supposed to stand for. It has been disappointing for me, and many others in our community, to see the current District Attorney, Dolores Carr, make bad decisions, exercise poor judgment and engage in questionable ethics — over and over again. She has tarnished the Office’s reputation and frayed the community’s trust. I am running for District Attorney to restore that reputation and that trust through hard work, good judgment, integrity, and humility.