Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci, a Republican, announced over the weekend that she will seek a second term as the county’s top prosecutor. Grome Antonacci became acting district attorney in 2022 after her predecessor, Jon Budelmann, was sworn in as a county judge. She later ran unopposed to win her first four-year term that same year.
In her announcement, Grome Antonacci said serving the community has been an honor and emphasized her commitment to performing the duties of the office “with integrity and dedication.” She cited more than a decade of experience prosecuting thousands of criminal cases from arrest through trial, describing herself as the most qualified candidate to continue leading the office.
She said her work has focused on public safety, fairness, and accountability, calling herself a “tough but fair prosecutor” committed to holding offenders accountable while supporting victims and the broader community.
Grome Antonacci highlighted several initiatives during her first term, including securing more than $300,000 in additional state grant funding, expanding services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and recruiting experienced prosecutors. She noted the office’s Special Assistant U.S. Attorney designation, its role in helping create the county’s animal abuse registry, and the launch of a Community Accountability Board to amplify the voices of victims and residents.
She also pointed to Cayuga County’s selection for two major state-supported public safety programs: the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Initiative, which uses data-driven strategies to reduce violent crime, and the STRIVE Initiative, one of only twenty jurisdictions statewide chosen to participate. STRIVE focuses on reducing domestic and intimate partner violence through trauma-informed, survivor-centered practices.
In her statement, Grome Antonacci said the district attorney’s office must remain free of political influence. “When it comes to enforcing the law, there is no room for politics or politically motivated prosecutions,” she said, pledging to continue serving with “dedication and integrity.”
She concluded by asking voters for their support in the November election, calling it an honor to serve the people of Cayuga County.
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