Newly retired Westchester County judge Susan Cacace officially launched her candidacy for Westchester district attorney in an exclusive interview with News 12's Tara Rosenblum. 

"I think Westchester needs someone who can make it safer," says Cacace.  

Cacace retired last week after 19 years on the bench to pave the way for her run for DA following Mimi Rocah's decision not to run for a second term. 

Before becoming a judge, the Bronxville Democrat spent 14 years as an assistant district attorney and worked as a criminal defense lawyer at a firm she partnered.

It's experience she says she will rely on as she makes the case to voters who already have a lot of options to consider. 

Mount Vernon attorney William Wagstaff announced his candidacy last month, touting his social justice credentials representing Black Lives Matter and several families in high-profile civil rights cases. New Rochelle defense attorney Adeel Mirza and Yorktown's Sheralyn Pulver Goodman have also announced their candidacies. 

Pulver Goodman, the administrator for the Westchester Independent Office of Assigned Counsel, told Tara Rosenblum she'll be announcing later this week.

Mamaroneck PayPal executive Dave Szuchman told News 12's Veronica Jean Seltzer that he's eyeing the job as well. 

Cacace will likely enter the race with the strongest name recognition, especially in Yonkers, where the Cacace Justice Center is named after her late father, Robert. 

"I feel that I'm the strongest candidate," she says. "I feel like I have the most experience. I know the office. I know the players in the office. I know the players in the community, the stakeholders in the community. I believe I could get everyone to work together to bring Westchester to a better place." 

The Democratic primary is scheduled to take place next June. 

There are currently no Republicans who have announced plans to run.