By Geena Monahan–For the North Star Reporter
Although the 2026 Bristol County District Attorney race is more than a year away, former Assistant District Attorney Seth Aitken has announced his intentions to run for the seat, pledging to bring back “leadership, safety and accountability.”
Aitken, a registered Republican, plans to challenge incumbent District Attorney Thomas Quinn, the same district attorney that Aitken worked under as an assistant district attorney from 2018 to 2021.
“I’m running for Bristol County District Attorney because our residents have the right to feel safe where they live and work,” said Aitken. “That peace of mind can’t happen under the current district attorney. His lack of leadership, transparency, and accountability has eroded the public trust, weakened the impact of law enforcement in Bristol County, and made our residents unsafe.”
According to Aitken, 97% of cases begin, and end, in district court, totaling approximately 16,000 cases per year. Only 25 prosecutors, of which Aitken said the majority are junior prosecutors, are on staff to handle the large influx of cases. Aitken sees this as a main reason the current system can be slow-moving at times.
“Well-meaning young prosecutors are essentially being thrown to the wolves, understaffed and undertrained in some of the state’s busiest courts,” said Aitken. “That compromises safety.”
Aitken also brings with him two years of experience as Fall River’s city administrator, a position he resigned from in February amid conflict-of-interest allegations. According to a statement sent to the North Star Reporter from the office of Mayor Paul Coogan, the matter was fully looked into and Aitken was transparent during the informal investigation.
“Attorney Aitken acknowledged he should have disclosed the appearance of a conflict and offered his resignation believing it to be in the best interests of the city,” reads the emailed statement sent by Chief of Staff Ann O’Neil Souza. “The administration is confident that the issues raised have been properly addressed.”
Aitken elaborated on his resignation in a phone call with the North Star Reporter, admitting that he did use his skill set as a lawyer to help a member of Fall River’s Emergency Medical Systems department fill out and submit paperwork to start a business, but never profited financially for the services he provided free of charge.
“I encouraged it (the investigation), I think it’s really important that if there are allegations that are made, what’s important is that no matter who it is, no matter what the allegations are, we need to have a thorough, robust and transparent investigation,” said Aitken. “If people believe one person is being treated differently because of their position, that erodes trust.”
Since his resignation, Aitken has returned to practicing private law in Fall River, focusing on criminal defense and consumer protection litigation in Bristol County courts. Aitken has served as a lead prosecutor in more than 100 jury trials, and said his years working in the court system have made him well-known and respected by lawyers, judges and law enforcement.
“My priority is transparent collaboration between law enforcement and prosecution, ensuring crime is met with immediate, professional responses and serious consequences,” said Aitken.
To Aitken, his experience serving eight years as an Army officer in construction and combat engineer units has given him a unique skill set as a leader, mission planner and problem solver. Aitken currently resides in Swansea, and said that his 24 years of living and working in Bristol County proves his commitment to the community.
Quinn, who was appointed as Bristol County District Attorney in 2015 by former Gov. Charlie Baker, has not formally announced his campaign for reelection and did not respond to emails and phone calls made to his office or the Committee to Elect Thomas M. Quinn II.
Quinn has only been challenged once before during his 10-year tenure, and that was in the 2022 primary by fellow Democrat Shannon McMahon.
Although there hasn’t been a Republican in the Bristol County District Attorney seat in more than 50 years, Aitken said now is the time to bring change in party leadership to the office.
“As district attorney, I would be accessible to the public, and would require the same of my team. I will provide better training, support, and resources for prosecutors,” said Aitken. “I do feel like this is not only a reasonable time for Republicans to have a shot at some of these positions, but I think Bristol County Republican ideals, which in many ways are fairly moderate but try to be common sense, are really helpful in a public safety, law enforcement context.”