Sullivan takes Democratic primary for DA in a landslide
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NORTHAMPTON - As the polls closed Tuesday, the early returns were strong for David E. Sullivan, one of two Democratic candidates for Northwestern district attorney. Those numbers never let up.
Sullivan, of Easthampton, won the Democratic primary in dominant fashion over former assistant district attorney Michael A. Cahillane, taking all but a handful of towns across Franklin and Hampshire counties.
Sullivan handily won the three largest communities in Hampshire County: 3,699 to 1,843 in Northampton, 2,075 to 403 in Amherst and 1,702 to 536 in Easthampton.
The results secure Sullivan a spot on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. He has no announced opposition in his quest to become the next Northwestern District Attorney, succeeding Republican Elizabeth D. Scheibel of South Hadley who is not seeking re-election after 18 years in office.
Before addressing a throng of supporters at the American Legion in Easthampton, Sullivan, the current Register of Hampshire County Probate and Family Court, said he was looking forward to getting to work. He praised Cahillane for running a good campaign.
"I think both of us had the same goal and that's public service," Sullivan said.
"I pledge that I will be a district attorney, will listen to the people, and in each and every case that we handle, justice will be done," Sullivan said in his victory speech.
An assistant district attorney for 10 years, Cahillane, of Northampton, conceded to a crowd of supporters at Tully O'Reilly's Pub in Northampton shortly before 9:30 p.m. He did so with his wife Christine at his side, after emerging from a 15-minute closed-door meeting with close family members, including his parents.
"We know that from day one, we ran a great campaign, that we ran this race for the right reasons and we did everything we could and above board," he said.
"The people of the Northwestern District have spoken," added Cahillane, amid intermittent cheers from supporters. "I respect that. I wish Dave Sullivan good luck."
The campaign between the two Democrats pitted Cahillane, an experienced prosecutor under Scheibel, against Sullivan, a former defense attorney who pledged to reform the district attorney's office and make it more accessible and responsive to the communities it serves.
"We needed a new direction for a long time and it's coming," said Sullivan backer John Pucci, a local attorney and former federal prosecutor.
Supporters of Cahillane said the campaign against Sullivan was not in vain.
"It's really unfortunate," said Kasey Nagle, son of former state Rep. William P. Nagle Jr., who campaigned hard for Cahillane in recent days. "Mike's a great guy. I wouldn't regret it for a second."
Others said Sullivan's political clout and war chest appeared too much to overcome for Cahillane, who had the backing of several law enforcement agencies.
"I feel bad for Mike because he ran up against the political establishment," said Northampton resident Jack Cogan of Northampton. "Sullivan's connected politically. He (Cahillane) is not connected politically. Unfortunately, the DA is a political thing."
Gazette staff writer James F. Lowe contributed to this story.
