Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete surprised the political and legal community Tuesday by announcing that he won't seek re-election this fall.
"My family and I have prayed and reflected on this decision for a longtime," he said. "It has been truly my privilege and honor to serve all of you."
Chiapete declined to elaborate on the reasons for his decision, and skirted a question on what role his 2014 drunken driving crash played into it. Chiapete pleaded guilty to OWI, hit and run and obstructing. At the time, he apologized profusely to the public.
As a show of support Tuesday, Chiapete was flanked at his courthouse announcement by police chiefs from across the county and by State Attorney General Brad Schimel.
Also present was Deputy District Attorney Tricia Hanson who used the opportunity to announce her candidacy for the post Chiapete is vacating. "I hope I can stand before you in November and tell you that I'm going to continue the great work Rich has done and continue to do my best to advocate for justice for the citizens of Racine County," she said.
Both Chiapete and Hanson are Republicans.
A Democrat already is in the race. Eugene Loftin is a Racine attorney who teaches part-time in Carthage College's criminal justice program.
Earlier this year, Kenosha County District Attorney Bob Zapf announced that he will step down at the end of the year. Zapf's right-hand man, Mike Graveley, then announced that he'll run.
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