In this week’s episode, Jennifer welcomes Seth Aitken, a Fall River attorney and Army veteran currently running for Bristol County District Attorney in Massachusetts. Raised in Swansea, Massachusetts, Seth brings years of legal experience, serving as a former assistant district attorney, recent city administrator for Fall River, and as a criminal defense attorney. With a background in criminal law and public service, Seth is also a family man and a strong believer in leadership as a discipline rooted in mentorship, integrity, and humility.



Jennifer and Seth dive deep into the intersection of politics and public safety. The episode addresses the stark realities facing Massachusetts, from the challenges of prosecutorial staffing and political patronage to high-profile criminal cases like the Karen Read and Lindsay Clancy trials. Seth shares his transformative views on what DA offices must prioritize, lambasts the system's tendency to reward career politicians over community-minded leaders, and explores the pervasive issue of sexual assault on college campuses, spotlighting the Cornell 7 case and the controversial "voluntary intoxication loophole" in New York law. The conversation uncovers Seth’s impassioned take on supporting law enforcement, confronting financial crime, protecting the vulnerable, and why courageous leadership is crucial in today’s justice system.



“It can't be about that, you know, certain powerful people get an opportunity to have access to justice or get to avoid justice, whereas everyone else gets what they get.” 
~ Seth Aitken



This week on Political Contessa:
The role of public service and personal sacrifice in seeking office
Transitioning from private practice to political candidate
The dangers of politics-driven DA offices and generational patronage
The challenge of keeping Massachusetts communities safe
The impact of understaffed prosecutor’s offices on victims and justice
Prioritizing leadership, law enforcement support, and financial crimes prosecution
Examining the failures and injustices highlighted in the Cornell 7 assault case
Addressing loopholes in sexual assault legislation and advocating for victims



Connect with Seth Aitken:
Aitken for District Attorney Website: aitken4da.com



Resources mentioned:
Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS)
Massachusetts Republican Party
Information on the Law Enforcement Reform Act
Tim Cruz (Plymouth County District Attorney, referenced for professionalism)

 

Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa

 

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

 

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Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you’ve ever considered running for office, or know a woman who should, head over to politicalcontessa.com to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you’re ready to enter the political arena.

In this week&rsquo;s episode, Jennifer welcomes Seth Aitken, a Fall River attorney and Army veteran currently running for Bristol County District Attorney in Massachusetts. Raised in Swansea, Massachusetts, Seth brings years of legal experience, serving as a former assistant district attorney, recent city administrator for Fall River, and as a criminal defense attorney. With a background in criminal law and public service, Seth is also a family man and a strong believer in leadership as a discipline rooted in mentorship, integrity, and humility. 
Jennifer and Seth dive deep into the intersection of politics and public safety. The episode addresses the stark realities facing Massachusetts, from the challenges of prosecutorial staffing and political patronage to high-profile criminal cases like the Karen Read and Lindsay Clancy trials. Seth shares his transformative views on what DA offices must prioritize, lambasts the system's tendency to reward career politicians over community-minded leaders, and explores the pervasive issue of sexual assault on college campuses, spotlighting the Cornell 7 case and the controversial "voluntary intoxication loophole" in New York law. The conversation uncovers Seth&rsquo;s impassioned take on supporting law enforcement, confronting financial crime, protecting the vulnerable, and why courageous leadership is crucial in today&rsquo;s justice system. 
&ldquo;It can't be about that, you know, certain powerful people get an opportunity to have access to justice or get to avoid justice, whereas everyone else gets what they get.&rdquo; ~ Seth Aitken 
This week on Political Contessa:
<ul>
<li>The role of public service and personal sacrifice in seeking office</li>
<li>Transitioning from private practice to political candidate</li>
<li>The dangers of politics-driven DA offices and generational patronage</li>
<li>The challenge of keeping Massachusetts communities safe</li>
<li>The impact of understaffed prosecutor&rsquo;s offices on victims and justice</li>
<li>Prioritizing leadership, law enforcement support, and financial crimes prosecution</li>
<li>Examining the failures and injustices highlighted in the Cornell 7 assault case</li>
<li>Addressing loopholes in sexual assault legislation and advocating for victims </li>
</ul>
Connect with Seth Aitken:
<ul>
<li>Aitken for District Attorney Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://aitken4da.com/">aitken4da.com</a> </li>
</ul>
Resources mentioned:
<ul>
<li>Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS)</li>
<li>Massachusetts Republican Party</li>
<li>Information on the Law Enforcement Reform Act</li>
<li>Tim Cruz (Plymouth County District Attorney, referenced for professionalism)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa
&nbsp;
Thanks for tuning into this week&rsquo;s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6ImzVp6n3MBUcMBP8jsZhu">Spotify</a> I <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=656529">Stitcher</a> I <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-contessa/id1588917810">Apple Podcasts</a> I <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-political-contessa-87658237/">iHeart Radio</a> I <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Political-Contessa-p1531739/">TuneIn</a> I <a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvZGFlMDZlNGItMGQ0YS00YmZjLTljZGEtYWRhMjAwZmFjMjNlL2Y5ODQwODQzLWIyNjUtNDI0Mi05MWFiLWFkYWYwMGFlODZmOC9jYzc1YWM1MS1hZGU1LTQwYmEtYmY5My1hZGFmMDBiMmM5NjMvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M%3d">Google Podcasts</a>
&nbsp;
Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you&rsquo;ve ever considered running for office, or know a woman who should, head over to <a href="http://politicalcontessa.com/">politicalcontessa.com</a> to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you&rsquo;re ready to enter the political arena.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.  My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.  I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.  Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Political Contessa

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.

Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

I’m Jennifer. I’m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.
Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
I&rsquo;m Jennifer. I&rsquo;m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I&rsquo;m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I&rsquo;m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>