Vote Saturday, October 4th: The Creole-Tomato
Endorses Ralph Capitelli for District Attorney

Ralph Capitelli, a former First Assistant District Attorney and Special Prosecutor for the State Judiciary Commission is running for Orleans Parish District Attorney with a platform that includes a straightforward, meaningful goal. Ralph Capitelli says, “my plan is simple: to make the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office the best in the nation.”

His 35-year legal background, related experience and professional accolades certainly qualify him for the position. He has the respect of his peers in the various aspects of the criminal justice system. Capitelli is known as a preeminent lawyer whose firm, Capitelli and Wicker, is considered expert from within and without legal, scholarly, and governmental institutions.

Mr. Capitelli as fit for the job as top prosecutor. He knows criminal law. He knows Louisiana law, and he knows the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.

Beyond the fact that Mr. Capitelli is a good lawyer and proven prosecutor, it is important to consider a few other things. What is significant to note is that there seems to be a fundamental disconnect between the DA’s office and the public of New Orleans right now. With organizations like Conversations for Change seeking to bridge the gap, our citizenry will require a DA with particular character.

New Orleans needs a DA who has a sense of community (not in the some off-handed politician’s way), but someone who values direct participation in the lives and goals of the communities that make up our city.

New Orleans also needs, unfortunately, a DA of strong resolve, one who will not settle for making our city safer, but one who will make our great city Safe. It’s time. New York City did it. New Orleans can do it. Since the storm, there has been no shortage of visionaries, but our newly elected District Attorney must face the hard truth that in New Orleans, crime is seething. Our new DA must be competent, strong and ethical.

In short our new DA must be connected to New Orleans, very effectively tough on crime, and ethical (period).

Ralph Capitelli has a long commitment to local civic, educational, and community causes. From the Closer Walk Ministries to the high schools of his adult sons, to the Lakeview Playground to the Boy Scouts of America, Ralph not only pitches in, but more often leads.

Ralph Capitelli will not back down when it comes to making New Orleans safe. He won’t stop until we have the best District Attorney’s Office in the nation. New Orleans knows we need this.

Finally the high ethical standards of Ralph Capitelli, as well as his proficient management skills have won the esteem from the legal, scholarly, municipal and administrative parties of New Orleans and Louisiana and beyond.