Endorsements

I met Deb in the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office, my first attorney job after law school. She was the Senior Criminal Deputy in the office and my first mentor as a new litigator. She was one of the best trial attorneys and criminal prosecutors I have seen in my entire career. She had a sincerity before juries, a rapport with victims and witnesses, and an intense work ethic that produced an amazing record of trial success. She never hesitated to bring tough or controversial cases, and she gave each one everything she had. Law enforcement officers fully supported her, and deeply appreciated her commitment to taking their cases through the process successfully and to communicating with them cooperatively to achieve successful outcomes. Any success I eventually had as a litigator is due to her example, mentorship, training and guidance.

During my tenure as Prosecuting Attorney, Clallam County was served by many motivated and capable Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys.  What makes Debra Conklin stand out from the rest - and why I think she was the best - was her indefatigable desire to seek justice, the fact that she relished a trial to gain it, and her nearly unmatched ability to communicate with a jury. 

I endorse the Rev. Deb Conklin as the next Spokane County Prosecutor.  Our community has been oppressed by an ineffective, partisan and overreaching prosecutor for the last seven years and it is long past time for a change.  Deb brings a strong record as a former deputy prosecutor who held violent offenders accountable and kept the community safer.  Her many years as a pastor reinforced her her strong commitment to ethics and the understanding that we need to heal individuals along with the community.  Many of us call this Smart Justice - less expense to taxpayers, reduced crime and an end to the revolving jail carousel.  Deb has been a long time advocate for this evidence-based approach and can provide a bridge between law enforcement and existing deputy prosecutors with the rest of the community that demands a safer Spokane and an end to the tired practices of the past that have created even  more crime and more expense.  I represented Deb as the lawyer for the Office of Police Ombudsman Commission and found her to be objective, fair to all people and insightful on how to create solutions that will move our community forward.  She will follow the law, protect victims and help us all move forward together for a safer Spokane.

I’m voting for Deb Conklin for Spokane County Prosecutor because she gets it. She known the law and she know we can improve on the systems that haven’t been working under our current Prosecutor. 

We need to address rising crime rates with targeted yet compassionate programs that I know Deb will bring to the Spokane Prosecutor’s Office!

I have known Deb for almost 30 years, and over the years Deb has shown she has a keen intellect when it comes to the law. Spokane needs a prosecutor who is as versed in the law as Deb. 

The county prosecutor has a lot to do with the health of our community.  We need a capable administrator, a non-partisan advocate for public safety, sensible evidence-based charging decisions, and an openness to practical reforms.  We have none of that in Mr. Haskell.  We have a good chance for all of that with Deb Conklin.

We need to work hard as a community to elect leaders who are hard working and honest. Who display sound judgment and strong character. If you share these values, then vote for Deb Conklin for Spokane County Prosecutor.