Newton's two police unions have endorsed challenger David Solet over incumbent Marian Ryan in the Sept. 1, 2026, Democratic primary for Middlesex District Attorney, a race that will determine who oversees prosecution of crimes in Newton for years to come.

The Newton Police Association and Newton Police Superior Officers Association are among more than 28 public safety unions and organizations backing Solet, a former Middlesex DA prosecutor who previously lived in Newton and whose daughters graduated from Newton North High School. Solet resigned from the DA's office in September 2024 and launched his campaign in December 2025.

John Claflin, president of the Newton Police Superior Officers Association, said in a June endorsement statement that officers chose Solet because of his work training police on cybercrime, digital evidence and emerging legal issues. "He is the only candidate who has been willing to lead in closing legal loopholes that are putting people in danger," Claflin said.

Ryan, who has led the office since 2013, has declined police union endorsements since signing the Justice Collaborative Pledge after the 2020 racial justice reckoning following George Floyd's murder. The pledge commits her not to seek or accept endorsements or campaign contributions from police unions.

Policy splits on drug-impaired driving, dangerousness law

The endorsements reflect a policy divide between the candidates on two issues Newton officers encounter: drug-impaired driving and pretrial detention.

Solet's campaign points to Middlesex DA prosecution data showing 71% of OUI-drug cases between 2020 and 2024 were dismissed, with prosecutors winning only two of 43 cases that reached trial. He argues Massachusetts law needs updating to give prosecutors better tools.

Ryan acknowledged the problem but said the state lacks reliable scientific tools to measure marijuana impairment, noting a drugged-driving bill failed in the Legislature after scientists questioned the testing technology. "There is definitely an issue," Ryan told Fig City News on Aug. 11. "I would certainly support something that would address that real issue."

Solet has also called for closing what he describes as a loophole in Massachusetts' dangerousness law that prevents prosecutors from seeking pretrial detention hearings for defendants charged with crimes including armed robbery or aggravated rape of a child.

Ryan defends 13-year record

Ryan, the only woman among Massachusetts' 11 district attorneys, is running on her record. She points to Middlesex County's ranking among the safest large counties nationally and cites her 2018 federal case, Ryan v. ICE, which she says was the first to successfully obtain an injunction keeping ICE out of courtrooms.

She also noted that starting prosecutor pay has risen from $38,000 when she took office to $72,500 for new hires arriving in September.

Solet, a former Newton resident now living in Cambridge, holds a Harvard Law degree and has 24 years of prosecution experience. He and his team solved more than a dozen cases during his tenure as chief of the Middlesex County Cold Case Homicide Unit from 2019 to 2025. He was named 2025 Middlesex County Prosecutor of the Year and holds the rank of Major in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General's Corps.

The race is a two-candidate contest. Axios Boston reported in July that Solet is also pointing to a steep drop in gun-trafficking convictions despite hundreds of illegal firearms recovered annually in the county.

The Democratic primary is Tuesday, Sept. 1, with polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting begins Aug. 22 at Newton City Hall. The voter registration deadline is Saturday, Aug. 22, at 5 p.m. In heavily Democratic Middlesex County, the primary winner will effectively serve as the next DA.

Newton Police Chief Timothy Cohoon has not publicly commented on the union endorsements.