DA Weintraub Holds Onto Seat

November 3, 2021

District Attorney Matt Weintraub
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub has earned a second term.

According to unofficial election results from the county, Weintraub, a Republican, beat back a challenge from Democrat Antonetta Stancu, a former prosecutor in Weintraub’s office.

With nearly all the ballots tallied, Weintraub led Stancu 103,379 to 66,346 votes.

Weintraub benefited from name recognition and several high-profile cases that have happened since he was first appointed in 2016 to fill the seat of District Attorney Dave Heckler, who retired. Weintraub easily won the seat in 2017.

As Democrats swept the other county row offices in recent years, Weintraub was the lone Republican. The race was watched closely around the region.

Weintraub, a Central Bucks County resident, was born and raised in Bucks County. He grew up in Upper Southampton Township and worked for 13.5 years in the district attorney’s office over two stints before taking the top job. He first interned in the district attorney’s office in 1992 before being hired full-time in 1993.

“I love Bucks County. I grew up in Bucks County … and I am so glad that I have the privilege to serve every person here in Bucks County,” Weintraub said during a recent candidates forum. “This is about leadership and my leadership has been tested and proven.”

Weintraub’s time in office has seen him face numerous major cases, including the Grace Packer murder and the Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz murder cases. His time in office has faced few scandals, but was criticized by Stancu after his first in charge resigned after getting caught delivering for DoorDash while working on the taxpayers dime.

Stancu, a Doylestown resident, worked for 17 years as a prosecutor, serving in the county district attorney’s office and as an assistant U.S. attorney, and prosecutor in the Bronx County Assistant District Attorney’s Office. In addition, she assisted with the high-profile case against then-Attorney General Kathleen Kane and many violent Bucks County cases.

Stancu grew up in Lower Bucks County and in Montgomery County. She is the daughter of immigrants and only spoke Romanian on her first day of kindergarten.

Weintraub and Stancu both framed themselves as supporters of law enforcement who were strong prosecutors. They both are widely considered moderates.

Weintraub made the case to voters that his leadership has kept the county safe and the district attorney’s office moving forward. He said more work needs to be done to help those with mental health problems and expand diversity in his office.