Three candidates are vying to serve Albany County’s district attorney for the next four years.

After a Democratic primary defeat, incumbent David Soares is running a write-in campaign. He’s challenged by Lee Kindlon, who defeated him in June's primary, and Republican Ralph Ambrosio.

Soares said the state’s recent criminal justice reforms are enabling violent crime in Albany. He promises to remain a vocal critic until those laws are rolled back.

“We will be successful. That is going to be the loudest message ever sent to the folks here, who sit here at the Capitol and pass these laws,” said Soares.

Kindlon, a longtime defense attorney, said changes to state law are not perfect. But he believes they were necessary steps forward, and he can help build on that progress.

“Laws aren’t perfect and maybe legislative changes can happen in the future, but let’s fix the problems that we can as lawyers in the courtroom,” said Kindlon.

Ambrosio is a retired New York state trooper, former assistant district attorney in Greene and Columbia counties and a former assistant attorney general. He said he strongly opposes recent criminal justice reforms, and wants to reorganize the DA’s office into early evaluation central booking to help prosecutors meet deadline on turning over discovery.

“Talking to the arresting officer while her arrest is fresh in her mind. I’m going to challenge that police officer to certify to me that I have all of their discovery,” says Ambrosio.

Election Day is Nov. 5.