Elan Firpo makes her formal announcement at the Vance

Surrounded by family, friends and supporters, five co-chairs and the Vance Lobby  full of supporters, Elan Firpo formally announced her candidacy for DA at 12:20. People also enjoyed hot dogs, wraps at Wolf Dawg before and after the announcement.

Elan was introduced by 3 of her co-chairs, Patty Clary, John Woolley and Neal Ewald.  Standing behind her were the 2 other co-chairs Michael Evenson and Fred Sundquist, Jr as well as Mike Newman, Marian Brady and Julie Fulkerson.

Listed below are key portions of Elan's speech. She elaborated on a few things and answered questions after her speech.

I want to thank the Co-Chairs of my campaign, Patty Clary, Michael Evenson, Neal Ewald, Fred Sundquist and John Woolley.  They have come from diverse communities with diverse political leanings to support this campaign.

With a firm commitment to preserving civil liberties, open government, and to fair and equal justice under the law, I announce my candidacy for Humboldt County District Attorney.

I know I can tackle the serious issues facing this office and our community. 

What are some of those issues?

·         Fear of crime in our neighborhoods

·         Protecting individual rights guaranteed by our laws

·         Dealing with the excesses of marijuana cultivation

The District Attorney is a key player in addressing these issues.  To effectively work out solutions, we need a District Attorney’s office that has widespread community support.  I will end the polarization of the DA’s office, and focus on the efficient prosecution of the laws.  Application of the law requires the DA to be Justice Partners with other law enforcement agencies.

I have a lifetime of experience communicating with the hard working men and women who protect our community. 

You might say I began before I was born.

My father and grandfather were career California Highway Patrolmen, my Mom worked in dispatch and two of my sisters are currently employed by their local police departments. 

My sisters and I were brought up honoring public service as the highest calling.

While working full time at Humboldt Land Title Company here in Eureka, I began night school at College of the Redwoods in 1985, earned my engineering degree in 1993 at Cal Poly and went on to a successful 13 year career as design engineer and project administrator, designing and manufacturing computer components.  Managing facilities in the far corners of the world. 

But there is much more to life than making good money.  I heeded the call to public service and went to law school so that I could become a prosecutor, and return to Humboldt.  Here, where my parents live, where I’m raising my children.

As a Senior Felony Prosecutor in Humboldt County, I aggressively and professionally manage a full caseload. 

As your DA, I will close the revolving door on those few who prey upon the rest of us, particularly those repeat offenders that would otherwise be in prison.  Working with probation, law enforcement, and the Sheriff, we will keep that small percentage of the public that commits 95% of the crime off the streets.

I have a detailed plan to optimize current resources and regain the confidence of the Board of Supervisors and the public by providing a quality work product in the form of consistent and rigorous prosecution.

I pledge to work with law enforcement, probation, victim advocates and the community, to make Humboldt a safe place to live and raise our families. 

The District Attorney’s office and law enforcement must be Justice Partners.  When the system works well, there are effective checks and balances between prosecution and law enforcement.

I pledge to vigorously prosecute Marijuana grows that are damaging the environment by diverting water sources, polluting the ground, killing wild animals, or negligently using firearms.  This includes indoor grows that are endangering neighborhoods.

With both private industry executive experience and government service, with an engineer’s obsession for solving problem, I will employ the skills needed to energetically address the public safety issues of Humboldt County and manage the office of Humboldt County District Attorney so that it works for you.  I will be a District Attorney you can be proud of, one Committed to protecting and serving this community.

I am Elan Firpo

I am asking for your vote.

Elan has a diverse group of supporters, not just people on the right and left but people from all walks of life. I often tell her, Elan you are the people's DA. I am proud to endorse and support and vote Elan Firpo as the choice for our next District Attorney.