Djuna Perkins wins Norfolk County DA Democratic primary

Overview

Updated Sep 3

Norfolk County voters chose former prosecutor Djuna Perkins over six rivals in Tuesday's Democratic primary for district attorney. The seat is open because Michael Morrissey, who held it for more than two decades, is not seeking reelection.

Perkins, a Dedham attorney, ran on restoring credibility to an office that drew scrutiny for its handling of the Karen Read murder case and the Sandra Birchmore death investigation. She will face independent candidate Joe Pagliarulo in the November general election; no Republican filed for the seat.

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

Democratic primary candidates

Seven candidates competed for the Norfolk County DA nomination.

Republican candidates

No Republican filed for the office, leaving the general as a two-way race.

Independent candidate

Joe Pagliarulo is the sole independent opponent for the general election.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Michael Morrissey

Outgoing Norfolk County District Attorney

Not seeking reelection after more than 20 years in office

Djuna Perkins

Democratic nominee for Norfolk County District Attorney

Won primary, will face independent Joe Pagliarulo in November

Joe Pagliarulo

Independent candidate for Norfolk County District Attorney

Awaiting November general election

Organizations Involved

Norfolk County District Attorney's Office

Government Agency

Leadership in transition

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

Timeline

September 2026 November 2026

2 events Latest: September 1st, 2026 · 2 months ago

November 2026
General election: Perkins vs. Pagliarulo
Upcoming Election

Perkins faces independent Joe Pagliarulo; no Republican is on the ballot.
In 5 days
September 2026
Perkins wins Norfolk DA Democratic primary
Latest Election

Djuna Perkins leads the field of seven candidates after preliminary results in the primary to replace Michael Morrissey.
September 1st, 2026

Scenarios

Perkins defeats Pagliarulo in November

Likely Resolves by 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.

Pagliarulo upsets in heavily Democratic county

Unlikely Resolves by 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.