The Ontario County district attorney race shifted sharply this week as incumbent Jim Ritts announced he’ll retire. His exit, after losing the June GOP primary to former top prosecutor Jason MacBride, leaves MacBride as the clear frontrunner in November.
Ritts still appears on the Conservative line, but his retirement likely ends active campaigning. A recent court ruling knocked MacBride off an independent ballot line, though he’s appealing — a move that may no longer matter.
MacBride says his campaign will press ahead to “earn people’s trust and votes” and could step into the DA role sooner if asked. The office’s major test ahead: prosecuting seven suspects in a high-profile abuse and homicide case.
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