Summer Stephan was the only candidate in June 2018 with the demonstrated passion, experience, and integrity to be District Attorney of San Diego County.
For over 28 years, she has risen through the ranks in the District Attorney’s Office, handling thousands of criminal cases. Summer prosecuted 100 jury trials including the Kelly Elementary School shooter, and went on to help create a plan to safeguard our local schools from threats.
After promotion to management, Summer was entrusted with the largest and most important divisions, including the Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking and North County Divisions. After becoming Chief Deputy District Attorney and now as District Attorney, Summer learned the complexities of operating this large organization comprised of over 1000 employees with a budget of over $180 million dollars.
Summer is committed to finding and supporting realistic and pragmatic solutions to prevent crime and reduce recidivism, including Drug Court, Veterans Court, Behavioral Health Court, and Homeless Court.
Summer was supported by both victims rights organizations and law enforcement agencies, including Crime Victims United, San Diegans Against Crime, San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association, San Diego Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and the San Diego Police Officer’s Association.
Summer had bipartisan political support in 2018, garnering endorsements from such prominent local Democrats and Republicans as Mayor Kevin Faulconer, City Attorney Mara Elliott, Sheriff Bill Gore, and Congressman Juan Vargas. The voters in 2018 voted overwhelmingly for Summer Stephan as our District Attorney.
As the District Attorney, Summer opened a state-of-the-art Family Justice Center in the North County for victims of domestic violence and elder abuse. Summer launched a juvenile diversion program that diverted hundreds of kids away from the school to prison pipeline. Summer fulfilled her commitment to test every rape kit with over 2000 rape kits tested. Her office tripled the prosecutions of hate crimes and doubled down on the prosecution of deadly fentanyl dealers. Summer is implementing innovations to help address the intersection of crime and homelessness.
Summer is the recipient of numerous local, state, and federal awards, including an FBI commendation for organized crime prosecution, outstanding achievement award from the Deputy District Attorneys Association for the complex prosecution for the rape and murder of an elderly woman. She was named an “Angel of Anti-Human Trafficking” and a “Modern Day Abolitionist.” In 2022, she received the Bernard E. Witkin Esq. Award for Excellence in the Practice of Law, for her extraordinary contributions, leadership, and accomplishments as District Attorney. She was selected as the 2017 Southern California District Attorney of the Year by Crime Victims United, was awarded the Pathbreaker Award by Shared Hope International, and received the 2019 Humane Award for her work in fighting animal cruelty.
Four years later, Summer ran unopposed for re-election in 2022. This was a testament to her successful leadership in the area of criminal justice in our community.
Thank you for voting for Summer Stephan and helping to keep San Diego one of the safest communities in the nation!