Last Tuesday, Lynneice Washington made history when she took the oath of office as District Attorney in the Jefferson County Bessemer Division, making her Alabama’s first African-American woman DA. The 49-year-old Birmingham-native, who beat republican incumbent Bill Veitch, boasts an impressive resume including her recent role as the presiding judge in Bessemer Municipal Court. Prior to that Washington worked as assistant DA in in Bessemer Cutoff from 2002 to 2010.

In an interview with AL.com Washington, a democrat, said that while honored and humbled by her success, she hadn’t considered the momentous implications of her victory. "I had no clue of the history I was making,” she said. “My objective is to be fair and balanced in all cases," she said. Washington also expressed the importance of being rooted in the community, "I want to be a visual presence. I love serving people and protecting the underdog."

Congratulations to Lynneice Washington for running for office, assuming the mantle of public service and epitomizing black excellence.

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Lynneice Washington

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