I am supporting Elan Firpo for DA, and why you should too

I am supporting Elan Firpo for District Attorney. 

I cover the courtroom, I have been a juror, I have worked for attorneys, I am the only one who has seen her in the courtroom as well as other candidates. I know all 4 candidates and I know what their peers really think, what the person on the street really thinks and what funders and people in politics really think of all 4 candidates and their chances. Having an inside perspective on all 4 candidates does give me a more fuller perspective on their strengths and weaknesses.

In the first candidate debate, Elan said certain things that show what kind of human being she is and what kind of District Attorney she will be.  “We have to be mindful how the decisions we make affect lives”; “The DA’s office is not the prosecution arm of law enforcement, we are the system of checks and balances” and “People should not be able to buy their way out of crime.”

 Elan is the only candidate with no party affiliation. This means she gave up those guaranteed party endorsements and money and volunteer support that comes with the party approval. She is a DA for people, regardless of party affiliation, in a non-partisan race.

Other letters have mentioned that she has put together a diverse coalition. There are people supporting Elan that normally have different views and have never been in the same room. Elan brought these people together.

I have previously worked on campaigns for Paul's opponents; now I am endorsing a candidate who has Paul's support. Elan earned that endorsement. I had concerns, I got to know Elan, she gained my trust and respect. I had considered endorsing and supporting another candidate who I have known longer than Elan.

She is the only DA candidate who is presently an active prosecutor in the criminal justice system with a full caseload and full-time job. She is the only candidate that has worked under realignment and has given specific explanations to how re-alignment has affected sentences and prison time. She knows the reality and frustrations of being a prosecutor now and sentences today are not HER choice. Other candidates know this and yet they have chosen to take pot shots at her high profile cases.

She has handled that criticism with class. That kind of spotlight and how it is handled is important because a DA will not make everyone happy. Again, her opponents have reacted with defensiveness or denial in the same situation.

I have talked to several people who did not know I was supporting Elan. Some I have known for a long time. This included 2 jurors who were very impressed with her in the courtroom. Many have mentioned that she is the only one that has business and management experience. That is a crucial quality to fix an office that is understaffed, needs resources and Elan knows how to conduct herself around people professionally.

Elan did not leave the office, she was not let go, and she stayed when the going is tough and that shows she has the commitment and the fortitude to fix this office.

The District Attorney’s Office is one that affects the entire County. As Elan has correctly stated, Eureka’s issues are different than Garberville. We have polarized this community by making it about growers and those other businesses. Both are a part of this economy. Greed and criminal element can apply to anyone.

Lately crime and what to do about it and issues such as homelessness and mental illness and drugs have been the subject of many articles, forums, meetings. The DA cannot fix all of this but is a crucial office where we need someone who will not see people as black or white and someone who sees how the criminal justice system sometimes becomes the only place which forces someone to get help or a place where someone is finally  held responsible for repeat behavior.