Prof. Perry Moriearty Authors Op-Ed in Star Tribune about County Attorney’s Record

Professor Perry Moriearty authored an op-ed column in the Minnesota Star Tribune about Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty in light of her recent decision to not seek re-election in 2026. She writes, “When Mary Moriarty announced her candidacy in 2021, she was clear about what she would do as Hennepin County attorney. She saw a criminal legal system that was not serving victims, was perpetuating deep racial disparities and, despite years of ‘tough on crime’ rhetoric, was not making us safer. And she promised something different: data-informed, trauma-responsive prosecution focused not on sound bites or politics, but on safety, equity and justice. The voters backed her vision by a resounding 16-point margin. Now, as Moriarty announces that she will not seek a second term, we should be clear-eyed about what her administration has accomplished in just 2½ years — and what we will be losing if we abandon this vision.”