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Djuna Perkins wins Norfolk County DA Democratic primary

Djuna Perkins wins Norfolk County DA Democratic primary

Rule Changes Boston, MA local

Perkins won the Democratic primary; she and independent Joseph Pagliarulo were on the Nov. 3 ballot

November 3rd, 2026: General election held: Perkins vs. Pagliarulo

Overview

Updated Sep 3

Dedham attorney Djuna Perkins won the September 1 Democratic primary for Norfolk district attorney with 30.5% of the vote. She finished about 2,500 votes ahead of runner-up Adam Deitch in a seven-candidate field. The seat is open because Michael Morrissey is stepping down after 16 years.

Perkins faced independent Joseph Pagliarulo in the November 3 general election. No Republican was on the ballot. Results had not been reported as of November 4.

Why it matters

The next DA will decide whether to continue Morrissey's approach or shift course on high-profile prosecutions and police accountability cases in a county of 700,000.

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Key Indicators

30.5%
Perkins primary share
She won the seven-candidate Democratic primary with 30.5% of the vote countywide.
2,500
Approximate victory margin
Perkins finished about 2,500 votes ahead of runner-up Adam Deitch.
1
Independent on November ballot
Joseph Pagliarulo was the only independent candidate; no Republican filed.

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People Involved

Michael Morrissey
Michael Morrissey
Outgoing Norfolk County District Attorney
Not seeking reelection after 16 years in office
 Djuna Perkins
Djuna Perkins
Democratic nominee for Norfolk County District Attorney
Won the September 1 Democratic primary; faced Joseph Pagliarulo in the November 3 general election; result not reported
JP
Joe Pagliarulo
Independent candidate for Norfolk County District Attorney
On the November 3 general election ballot; result not reported

Organizations Involved

Norfolk County District Attorney's Office
Norfolk County District Attorney's Office
Government Agency
Leadership in transition; November 3 general election result not reported

The office prosecutes crimes in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, covering 28 communities south of Boston.

Timeline

September 2026 November 2026

2 events Latest: November 3rd, 2026 · 1 week ago

  1. General election held: Perkins vs. Pagliarulo

    Latest Election

    Perkins and independent Joseph Pagliarulo were on the ballot; no Republican filed. Results had not been reported as of November 4.

  2. Perkins wins Norfolk DA Democratic primary

    Election

    Perkins declared victory over six rivals after a count that stretched into Wednesday morning. Runner-up Adam Deitch conceded.

Scenarios

1

Perkins defeats Pagliarulo in November

Deadline passed (Nov 3, 2026)

Discussed by: Political analysts and local observers who note Norfolk County's Democratic leanings

Perkins wins the general election, continuing Democratic control of the DA's office. She would take office in January 2027, likely implementing reforms and possibly adjusting policies on police accountability.

2

Pagliarulo upsets in heavily Democratic county

Deadline passed (Nov 3, 2026)

Discussed by: Political observers noting independents' occasional success in local races

Despite the county's Democratic registration advantage, Pagliarulo wins by appealing to voters dissatisfied with both parties or with Perkins' reform agenda. Such an outcome would be a significant departure from decades of Democratic control.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

September 2018

Rachael Rollins in Suffolk County (2018)

Rachael Rollins, a former federal prosecutor and civil rights lawyer, won a seven-candidate Democratic primary for Suffolk County District Attorney, unseating the establishment-backed candidate. She ran on a reform platform focused on reducing incarceration.

Then

Rollins went on to win the general election easily, becoming the county's first Black DA.

Now

Her tenure exemplified the national 'progressive prosecutor' movement, shifting priorities away from low-level drug offenses.

Why this matters now

Like Rollins, Perkins is a former prosecutor running on reform after a long-incumbent DA steps down. The Suffolk race shows how a crowded primary can give a reformer a path in a Democratic county.

November 2017

Larry Krasner in Philadelphia (2017)

Larry Krasner, a civil rights attorney with no prosecutorial experience, won the Philadelphia DA race on a platform of ending mass incarceration and holding police accountable. He defeated a longtime incumbent in the primary.

Then

Krasner won the primary and general, reshaping the office within months.

Now

His election became a touchstone for the progressive prosecutor movement, showing that voters can reward candidates who promise to reduce prosecutions.

Why this matters now

Both Krasner and Perkins capitalized on public frustration with a sitting DA's handling of police-related cases. The parallel highlights the national shift toward prosecutor accountability.

Sources

(9)
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Boston.com The Patriot Ledger NBC Boston Boston Herald The Boston Globe Needham Observer WBUR Boston.com Needham Observer