BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Daily Post Staff Writer
Two prosecutors are vying for a seat as judge in San Mateo County, with one taking his home ties and military experience as an advantage, and the other relying on his past experience.
San Mateo County Deputy District Attorney Brian Donnellan and Santa Clara County Chief Assistant District Attorney Jay Boyarsky will be facing each other in June to fill the seat of Judge Susan Greenberg, who recently retired.
“Understanding the culture, the people, the community here in San Mateo County really requires you to have an insight into the place where you want to work and serve,” Donnellan said.
Donnellan, 51, of San Mateo, grew up in the area and has over 20 years of experience working in the DA’s office, protecting victims and seeking justice in the county.
Having so much history working in the county is what distinguishes him from Boyarsky, Donnellan said.
His military service also sets him apart, having served not just locally but the nation, leading soldiers in combat, Donnellan said. Donnellan was in the army for 24 years, then left the army and began working at the district attorney’s office.
If he were to become a judge, he would want his courtroom to be a place where everybody is treated with dignity and respect and feels listened to, Donnellan said. Whether it’s a defendant, victim, litigants in a family law matter or child dependency proceeding, it’s about knowing their background to make the best decision under the law, he said.
Donnellan said he would be as efficient as possible as a judge to help with the backlog of cases.
Every San Mateo County judge has supported his campaign, Donnellan said.
Boyarsky said he is very much connected with San Mateo County, since it’s a neighboring county to where he currently works. San Mateo County faces similar issues he has been dealing with in his career for over 30 years in Santa Clara County, Boyarsky said.
Being a leader in Santa Clara’s DA’s office distinguishes his experience from Donnellan’s, Boyarsky said. Boyarsky manages the day-to-day operation of District Attorney Jeff Rosen’s office.
Boyarsky, 60, from Palo Alto, applied with the Governor’s Office to be a judge in 2007 and again in 2023 but wasn’t selected after a review by the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation. Boyarsky also ran for judge in 2008 but finished in fourth out of five candidates. In 2024, he conceded on election night.
Learning from his previous candidacies, Boyarsky said he is putting his best foot forward in this race, not worrying about what he can’t control.
San Mateo County deserves the best and most qualified judge, whether a loved one is in court or a victim of a crime. Not the best judge who lives in Menlo Park or Palo Alto, residents deserve the best they can get on their cases, and Boyarsky said he could be that judge.