Former federal prosecutor Vicki Behenna has joined the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s race as a Democrat. Behenna was on the prosecution team on the federal case against Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. She is currently the executive director of the Oklahoma Innocence Project.
“After much thought and consideration, and conversations with dozens of legal and criminal justice reform experts, I am announcing my candidacy for Oklahoma County District Attorney,” said Behenna. “I’m not a career politician, and I never thought I would stand for public office. But the DA’s office impacts thousands of Oklahoma families every year, both victims and accused, and I intend to be a voice for justice.”
Behenna was a federal prosecutor for 25 years. She also prosecuted several cases against elected public officials, both Republican and Democrat.
“My passion as a prosecutor always led me to seek justice for victims, but my time as a defense attorney and with the Innocence Project has shown me that in a system based on human judgment you will also have cases decided on human error. My own family has fallen victim to human error and misconduct, but we’ve also found resolution within the justice system. My experiences will guide my leadership.”
So far, Behenna is the lone Democrat in the race.
The four Republican candidates are Kevin Calvey, Jacqui Ford, Gayland Gieger, and Robert Gray.
