A district attorney’s race in Maine wasn’t generating much attention until a political action committee linked to a deep-pocketed liberal donor with international name recognition took an interest. A super PAC funded by George Soros, the billionaire investor and philanthropist, dropped $300,000 on behalf of the challenger, dwarfing the $70,000 combined that had been raised by both candidates until then. The cash infusion — a stunning sum for a local race in Maine — shows how national groups are seeking to influence district attorney’s contests across the U.S., reports the Associated Press. The spending highlights a mostly under-the-radar competition for control of an office on the front lines of the movement for criminal justice reforms.
Left-leaning groups have stepped in to fund candidates who support reforms, while conservatives are pushing back amid concerns that crime is out of control. Whitney Tymas of the Justice & Public Safety PAC, which supports progressive district attorney candidates, said political money is necessary to bring change to an office that is overwhelmingly white and male, and where most incumbents run unopposed for reelection. In Maine, a Soros-backed super PAC funneled the $300,000 windfall to Tymas’ action committee, which has been sending mailings in advance of Tuesday’s primary attacking incumbent Jonathan Sahrbeck, a Democrat. It also has been mailing fliers in favor Democratic challenger Jacqueline Sartoris. Money also poured into this week’s recall election that ousted San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, a Democrat. Among other things, Boudin’s critics said he had failed to prosecute repeat offenders.