MARTINEZ — Contra Costa County Senior deputy District Attorney Paul Graves on Thursday called the interim DA whose job he was running for to concede that she won the primary election, according to a letter released to his supporters.
The move by the high-ranking prosecutor means that Diana Becton is all but certain to become the next Contra Costa district attorney. Appointed last September, she’ll be the first African-American and first woman to be elected DA in the office’s roughly 160-year history.
Becton released a statement through her campaign Thursday thanking supporters and pledging to represent constituents “proudly, with integrity, and with a strong commitment to fairness and justice for all.”
“I am honored and humbled to receive the support of over 50 percent of Contra Costa County voters, who have given me the opportunity to continue serving as your District Attorney for a full term,” Becton wrote to her supporters Thursday.
Becton is a retired judge of 22 years, who touted support of bail reform and diversion programs for nonviolent offenders. She was appointed following the resignation and criminal prosecution of former district attorney Mark Peterson last year.
“We need a criminal justice system that not only holds people accountable for their crimes, but also seeks to divert nonviolent, low-level offenders away from continued criminal activity and supports them to become productive members of society,” Becton said in her message to supporters. “We must address inequities in the system through bail reform, restorative justice programs, mental health services, and treatment for drug addiction. And we must have better outcomes for the youth of Contra Costa County.”
Graves’ concession follows an election update released Wednesday that showed Becton with 94,663 votes, 921 more than she needed to win a majority and prevent a runoff election in November. Graves was listed with 79,081 votes, or roughly 42 percent.
“Nearly all the votes have been counted, and although it is very close, it is unlikely we will have a runoff in November,” Graves wrote to supporters Thursday. “This afternoon, I called Diana Becton to congratulate her on her expected election as District Attorney.”
His statement concluded: “Now we must come together and support our newly elected District Attorney for the sake of Contra Costa residents who are counting on us to put politics aside for their benefit and safety. This campaign has ended, but our worthy cause continues in our courtrooms every day.”
