Capizzi Endorses Wade for D.A. Job

Orange County Dist. Atty. Mike Capizzi on Thursday officially endorsed one of his top lieutenants, Assistant Dist. Atty. Wallace J. Wade, in the race to succeed him as the county’s top prosecutor.

Calling Wade “a professional, not a politician,” Capizzi said in a statement that Wade has his “wholehearted support.” He praised the 51-year-old prosecutor’s record of service to the county and said Wade would continue aggressive prosecution of gang, three-strikes and political corruption cases.

“Wally Wade has the skills, experience and dedication to be a great district attorney, one the county will be proud of,” said Capizzi, who is not seeking reelection and is campaigning for state attorney general.

Wade’s chief opposition so far is Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Rackauckas Jr., a former prosecutor who last month won the endorsement of the association that represents a majority of Orange County prosecutors.