Democrat Djuna Perkins defeated independent Joseph Pagliarulo in the Nov. 3 election to become Norfolk County’s first new district attorney in 16 years, WATD reported. The station reported Perkins won 73% of the vote to Pagliarulo’s 27%. Milton and Canton voters helped decide the race.
Democrat Djuna Perkins, of Dedham, faced independent candidate Joseph Pagliarulo, of Millis. It was the only contested general election for district attorney in Greater Boston, according to Serpa Law's analysis of the 2026 DA primaries.
The Norfolk district covers 28 communities, including Milton and Canton. The district attorney decides whether and how the state prosecutes criminal cases in those towns.
How the race opened
District Attorney Michael Morrissey announced in January 2026 that he would not seek reelection after holding the office since 2010. His announcement followed scrutiny of the Karen Read murder trials and the death of Canton resident Sandra Birchmore, the Needham Observer reported.
Both candidates said those cases drove them to run, according to the Observer.
The Sept. 1 Democratic primary drew a seven-candidate field with strong Milton ties. Greg Connor, the office's chief trial counsel and a Milton resident of 20 years, finished third with about 15% of the vote, the Boston Herald reported. Robert Jubinville, a Milton clerk-magistrate, and Macy Lee, a former Suffolk County assistant district attorney from Milton, also ran.
Perkins won the seven-candidate Democratic primary.
The candidates
Perkins entered the race in September 2024 after publicly calling for Morrissey's resignation. A former assistant attorney general and assistant district attorney, she entered private practice in 2003. Her work has included representing survivors of sexual abuse and conducting investigations for schools and employers, according to her campaign biography.
She told the Observer she would prioritize preventive training to protect women and children, review the Birchmore case and publish her findings.
Pagliarulo announced his campaign in March 2026. He ran under the slogan "Take Politics Out of Prosecution" and appeared on the ballot as unenrolled. His campaign describes more than 18 years as a Boston prosecutor and more than three decades of courtroom experience, according to the Ballot Brief voter guide. He has also worked as a defense attorney and supervised lawyers at the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court, the Observer reported.
Pagliarulo told the Observer he would appoint an experienced district court supervisor, review prior Superior Court charges for evidentiary support and expand drug rehabilitation and mental health court programs.
What's at stake
Perkins begins a four-year term Jan. 6, 2027, under state law. Both candidates pledged to overhaul the office, audit past decisions and rebuild community trust, the Observer reported.
The AP's Massachusetts election results page will post vote tallies as they come in. The AP declares winners when it determines trailing candidates no longer have a path to victory. Official certification of results typically comes weeks later. The Massachusetts Election Statistics database, maintained by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, publishes official certified results.
