Keith Blackwood, the chief assistant district attorney for Mobile County, has announced his candidacy for Mobile County District Attorney in the 2022 election.
Blackwood has spent nearly fourteen years as a prosecutor, working in roles that included the Circuit Court Team and the murder team before his 2020 promotion to chief assistant under District Attorney Ashley Rich.
Backlog a Top Challenge
His entry into the race follows Rich’s recent announcement that she is retiring and will not seek reelection. Rich has endorsed Blackwood, who was so far the only announced candidate.
Blackwood has tried more than 100 jury trials. He acknowledged the rise in violent crime in recent years and said clearing the office’s backlog of cases would be his biggest challenge if elected.
“I have a plan in place. Day one hitting the office, we have a strong group of prosecutors,” Blackwood said, adding that steps could be taken to work through the backlog and deliver justice sooner for victims of crime.
The election was set for May 24.