For one candidate, the race is all about criminal law. For another, it’s about administrative experience. For a third, it’s about change.
The three candidates in this year’s Clark County prosecuting attorney race offered opposing views Monday at a candidate forum hosted by the Clark County Bar Association.
Speaking before a few dozen fellow attorneys, the contenders each offered a 10-minute talk on their qualifications and goals for the job should they be elected.
Criminal defense attorney Jeff Sowder, Deputy Prosecutor Tony Golik and assistant Vancouver city attorney Brent Boger spoke at the bar association’s regular meeting at the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay.
Speaking first, Sowder, a Democrat, was blunt about how he fits into the high-profile race. “I’m the nontraditional candidate,” he said. “I’ll raise issues no one else will raise.”
Calling himself the “non-law enforcement” choice, Sowder said he plans to better scrutinize the office’s charging decisions in criminal cases, especially with domestic violence and drug cases.
Sowder said he wants to see the county’s drug court program reformed so that charges against a defendant are dismissed in exchange for graduation from a treatment program. Currently in Clark County, a defendant’s conviction sticks, even after graduation.
Golik spoke next. In contrast to Sowder, he called himself the traditional candidate.
“I’m a family man and I’m an experienced criminal prosecutor,” he said, noting his current job prosecuting the county’s most serious crimes.
To highlight his qualifications, Golik, also a Democrat, cited endorsements from the Clark County prosecutors union, area law enforcement and longtime elected Prosecuting Attorney Art Curtis, who is retiring.
The 17-year prosecuting veteran then alluded to opponent Boger’s lack of prosecuting felony cases — a source of ongoing dispute between the two candidates.
“It won’t work if it’s someone who doesn’t have the support of the players,” he said.
Apparently addressing Golik’s earlier remarks, Boger said the position is about more than courtroom trial tenure. It’s also about having experience managing an office.
“Criminal experience is relevant but it is far from the only experience and — I don’t think — the most important,” said Boger, a Republican.
The prosecuting attorney, he said, is also in charge of instructing public officials in legal matters.
“I’ve done that,” he said, citing his background as an assistant city attorney providing Vancouver officials legal advice in real estate projects. “No other candidate has done that.”
The primary election for the position is in August, with the top two vote-getters, regardless of political party, squaring off in the November election.
Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.
