Vancouver criminal defense attorney Jeff Sowder announced Wednesday that he’s stepping out of the race for Clark County prosecuting attorney and endorsing former rival Tony Golik for the position.
Sowder said he decided to withdraw this week, as the deadline for filing approached.
Initially running to give voters a “non-law enforcement” choice, Sowder said he decided not to muddy the waters any longer.
“I decided that Tony Golik is the overwhelming favorite,” Sowder said. “He’s well-respected by defense attorneys, judges and law enforcement.”
Golik said Wednesday he appreciates Sowder’s backing.
“It’s really flattering to get an endorsement from him,” Golik said. “He’s good at what he does. He’s certainly a qualified adversary.”
As for one of the remaining opponent, assistant Vancouver City Attorney Brent Boger, Sowder questions his qualifications for the job, mainly his criminal law experience. Boger has practiced law for 25 years, but has only four or five months of misdemeanor criminal prosecution experience, filling in on arraignments in Clark County District Court.
“I have a lot of respect for Mr. Boger, but I don’t see him at the courthouse,” Sowder said. “I would be a little wary taking orders from a prosecutor who hasn’t been in the trenches himself.”
In response, Boger said Sowder’s endorsement of Golik wasn’t a surprise and disputed the challenges to his qualifications.
“Both Tony and Jeff are criminal trial lawyers and don’t appear to appreciate what the job really involves,” he said, noting the prosecuting attorney also is in charge of the county’s civil litigation — something he has an array of experience in. “On top of that, they are both Democrats and I am a Republican.”
The race to succeed longtime Prosecuting Attorney Art Curtis, who is retiring at the end of the year, has drawn three candidates: Golik, a deputy prosecutor assigned to major crimes; Boger, also the state’s Republican committeeman; and George Kolin, a Washougal defense attorney running as an independent.
As of Wednesday, only Golik has filed for candidacy; Boger said he planned to file on Friday.
The primary race for the partisan position is in August, with the top two vote-getters heading to the November election.
Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.
