David Solet Concedes Middlesex District Attorney Primary Race To Marian Ryan

WOBURN, MA — Incumbent Marian Ryan won the Democratic nomination for Middlesex District Attorney in Tuesday's Massachusetts primary after challenger David Solet conceded the race Tuesday night.

Ryan has led the office since 2013, while Solet spent more than two decades as a prosecutor in the office before leaving to challenge his former boss. Solet conceded shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday, before complete results from the race were available.

"We do not have complete numbers, but we have enough numbers to know this is not our night," Solet told Patch in a statement.

Solet said his campaign began with no name recognition, money, or established campaign organization before going on to earn the support of tens of thousands of voters across Middlesex County. He also pointed to endorsements from The Boston Globe, Boston Herald and more than 50 police, fire and labor unions.

"We committed ourselves to raise important issues, and won the support of tens of thousands of people across Middlesex County," Solet told Patch in a statement. "We plan to capitalize on the support we earned and get back to work tomorrow to continue raising these issues to fight for the changes we championed during this campaign."

Ryan was appointed Middlesex District Attorney by former Gov. Deval Patrick in 2013 and has since won election to the position. A longtime prosecutor before taking over the office, Ryan has pointed to initiatives involving juvenile and young adult diversion, restorative justice, conviction integrity and racial justice as part of her record. Her office also stopped requesting cash bail in certain low-level, nonviolent cases. Ryan has emphasized public safety, criminal justice reform and emerging crimes involving technology during her reelection campaign.

Solet spent 24 years as a prosecutor, including more than two decades working in the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. He previously served as chief legal counsel for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security before returning to the DA's office to lead its Cold Case Homicide Unit from 2019 through 2025. A Princeton University and Harvard Law School graduate, Solet was named Middlesex County Prosecutor of the Year in 2025.

Solet centered his campaign around public safety and changes to the operation of the DA's office, including creating a dedicated unit focused on illegal gun trafficking and pushing for changes to the state's dangerousness hearing laws. Ryan defended her record by pointing to Middlesex County's comparatively low crime levels while arguing that public safety can be balanced with prevention, intervention and criminal justice reform.

The race marked Ryan's first primary challenge since 2018. Her victory puts her on track to serve a fourth full term leading the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.

The Middlesex District Attorney's Office serves communities throughout Middlesex County and prosecutes criminal cases in district and superior courts across the region.

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