Republican candidate for Manhattan district attorney Thomas Kenniff says he never wanted to end up in politics, but he says he “couldn’t stand by and watch what’s happening” with the city’s criminal justice system.

“I graduated law school at a time when New York City had historically low crime rates that really continued up until a few years ago. Seeing it all turned upside down as a result of misguided criminal justice reforms frankly sickened me and encouraged me to get in this race — it’s the only reason I got in this race,” Kenniff said Tuesday in an interview on “Mornings On 1.”

Kenniff said he would push the state legislature to repeal bail reform. He said he would also seek to do away with some of the policing policies borne out of recent racial justice movements.

“The criminal justice system is not perfect, and one of the reasons I’m running is to make it better,” Kenniff said. “But we simply cannot adopt policies in the name of racial justice or anything else that do away with traditional concepts that deters accountability and put innocent lives at stake.”

In terms of bail reform, the Manhattan DA’s office does not have the authority to repeal it, but Kenniff said he would lobby the state to get the job done. That could be an uphill battle given Democrats control the governor’s mansion and the legislature. 

The candidate also wants to see a renewed focus on quality of life offenses.

The Republican candidate also said he could remain impartial when it comes to the office’s investigation into Former President Donald Trump’s company. He said he is a local lawyer with no ties to the national party.

“I’m not here looking to do any favors for the former president any more than I would think [Democratic nominee] Alvin Bragg, if he’s elected, is going to do favors for the former Democratic governor by the way of this office,” Kenniff said.

Kenniff is a criminal defense attorney and Iraq War veteran.