Local lawyer Paul Battisti officially announced his campaign for Broome County District Attorney on Wednesday. It's a high call to be elected District Attorney for any county.

Paul Battisti believes he's the man for the job in Broome County.

"The job of District Attorney is not about how much time you spent in the court room," said Battisti. "Surely I have plenty of court room experience, but I am running on a platform I've developed through my real world community experience."

That experience is 14 years as a private practice attorney in Broome County. Battisti said he has the support of many local law enforcement leaders, including the Broome County Sheriff. 

"Paul's always been willing to work with people," said Broome County sheriff David Harder. "As you can see he works with a number of clubs and associations now. Law enforcement people like and respect Paul, so we're behind him."

While drug-related overdose deaths have decreased during Steve Cornwell's term, other leaders said there's no unity between his office and other departments.

"Some of the officers are getting discouraged too because he keeps telling them don't arrest people, don't do this, don't do that, you're doing things wrong," said Harder. "The only person that he sees as doing anything right is Steve Cornwell."

Battisti's competitor is Michael Korchak, the current Assistant District Attorney.