Former Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Tariq El- Shabazz announced his bid for District Attorney.  

“It was during my years in the courtroom and walking our community that I came to fully understand that meaningful change and eternal impact in our justice system must be done from working within the system that imprisons our citizens on a daily basis.  And I do not just mean citizens of color…I mean all citizens,” Shabazz said in his announcement.  

Shabazz is focusing his campaign on mass incarceration.  

“I will seek to partner with our Governor, Attorney General and legislators to attack mass incarceration by overhauling how parole in the Commonwealth is handled.”

Shabazz began his career under former Chief Justice and Philadelphia D.A. Ronald Castille.  He left the District Attorney’s office to enter private practice for 20 years, returning to the office as the Deputy Chief for Investigation.  

Current District Attorney Seth Williams recently ended his bid for re-election, leaving Judge Teresa Carr Deni, Joe Khan, Rich Negrin, and Michael Untermeyer.