Middlesex DA race a study of contrasts

The race for Middlesex district attorney, a highly coveted stepping stone to Massachusetts political stardom, is suddenly a two-man battle between a Cambridge senator who emphasizes his progressive values and a hard-nosed former federal prosecutor who helped convict shoe-bomber Richard Reid.

Over the weekend, Representative Michael E. Festa, a Melrose Democrat, dropped out, announcing he would instead seek reelection. Festa, 51, said in part that he wanted to have time to devote to a national crime-fighting initiative, in which he is active.

His exit comes a month after state Representative Peter J. Koutoujian, a Waltham Democrat, left the race.

The race between Gerry Leone and Jarrett T. Barrios is expected to be the most expensive ever for the position previously held by former attorney general L. Scott Harshbarger and his successor Thomas F. Reilly. It also promises to be one of the most closely watched among Democratic constituents as two very different men -- with vastly different backgrounds, styles, and experience -- try to become top prosecutor in the state's most populous county.

Barrios, 37, is the openly gay son of a carpenter and a social worker, a senator who speaks fluent Spanish and has become a stalwart supporter of liberal causes in the Legislature. Leone, 43, earned his degree studying nights at Suffolk Law School, and burnished his credentials prosecuting Reid and British nanny Louise Woodward.

Now, both Democrats say they have a chance to contrast their views and vision for the office. Each has already raised more than $500,000, and some officials expect them to spend at least $1 million before the Sept. 19 primary.

''It's a head-to-head race and each has his own specific strengths," Philip W. Johnston, state Democratic Party chairman, said yesterday. ''It's going to be a very hard-fought race."

The office, representing 54 cities and towns, has often vaulted politicians into higher office. The current district attorney, Martha Coakley, is running for attorney general, following in the footsteps of Harshbarger and Reilly.

''It seems to be the logical path to statewide office," Johnston said, noting that although both men are focused on the current race, each could a reach higher office, with their ambition, fund-raising prowess, and media savvy.

''They're both very young, aggressive, articulate Democrats who have strong support within the county," he said.

Festa, a popular and voluble four-term representative, had trouble competing in the field, said Steven Grossman, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee who had endorsed Festa in the race. He now endorses Barrios, he said.

''I think Mike recognized that with a field of Jarrett and Leone in the race, he probably wouldn't have been able to raise the resources necessary to be competitive," Grossman said. ''My guess is more money will be spent on the Middlesex DA's race than has ever been spent before."

Festa said he wanted to spend time working with the Council of State Governments, a policy group, helping to build a national resource center for state criminal-justice policymakers. The job will require some travel, he said. He also raised less money than Barrios or Leone, with about $265,000 in pledged donations to his campaign.

''As I now turn my efforts toward reelection, I look forward to asking my constituents for their continued support," Festa said in a statement.

Barrios said he is telling voters about his work in helping to pass a witness-protection measure in the Legislature, revamping the State Police crime lab, and sponsoring measures to prevent identity theft. He has been a vocal advocate for immigrants' rights and gay rights.

''This is a race about values, about values and vision for the DA's office," Barrios said yesterday. ''I am a Democrat, my challenger is a Bush administration lawyer. These values and perspective and experience will come before the voters in September."

Leone said he is proud of his record and experience. A Hopkinton resident, he started in the Suffolk district attorney's office and went on to become a prosecutor in the Middlesex district attorney's office.

He also was a chief of the Criminal Bureau in the state attorney general's office, a state anti-terrorism coordinator for Massachusetts, and first assistant United States attorney.

In the US attorney's office he helped prosecute Reid, whom he calls the first admitted Al Qaeda terrorist on American soil. In the Middlesex district attorney's office, he helped prosecute British nanny Woodward on charges that she shook 8-month-old Matthew Eappen to death.

''I've been a professional prosecutor, a professional manager of prosecution offices, and built the partnership and programs that support prosecution offices my entire career," Leone said. ''Senator Barrios, on the other hand, has a vastly different background and career than me; essentially, he's been a legislator . . . I'm confident that the people of Middlesex County will continue to go for a professional."