William Payne

I was appointed the prosecutor on January 27, 2014 by a Democrat and Republican commissioner because they felt the office needed a new direction and a change of leadership. I have the support of county and city leadership and executives. I have a broad based support from law enforcement officials, officers and deputies. I have rebuilt the relationship with law enforcement, the community and other stakeholders in the office.

I made a commitment to the county commissioners to run the office within the budget. This is important because it saves the county money by not hiring additional staff while maintaining public safety. I have done so and added a felony deputy prosecutor within the budget. I carry a felony case load and work in the civil division and the appellate deputy carries a felony case load. There are now five attorneys in the felony division.

In the civil division, the deputy and I are handling cases that previously had been contracted out to outside law firms. We are saving the county money in both the criminal and civil division without degrading services to the citizens of Clallam County.

My priorities when elected are to continue to provide high quality legal services to the citizens of Clallam County working within the allotted budget as I have done for the last eight months. Additionally, we have made it a priority to work through a backlog of criminal case referrals that have been gathering dust in the prosecutor’s office, some for several years.

I have the skills the prosecutor’s office needs in an elected prosecutor. The citizens demand their prosecutor have civil, criminal law skills as well as leadership and management skills. I have practiced civil law, criminal law, have an MBA and managed several business with many employees.

I have the leadership skills learned in the Marine Corps to effectively lead the prosecutor’s office. This county is not large enough nor does it have enough resources to have an administrator over the prosecutor’s office that is not a practicing attorney. I will continue as I have done in the past eight months to provide high quality legal services to the citizens of Clallam County while using my management skills to make the office more efficient thereby saving taxpayer dollars.

I am currently on my second year as president of the Clallam Jefferson Pro Bono Lawyers organization that is tasked with providing legal services for low income and indigent clients. I volunteer and provide legal services to the veterans of Clallam County. I am working with other agencies in the county and state to begin a specialty veteran’s court to assist veterans with the wide ranging legal issues.

I have the proven leadership to run the office, maintain public safety and public confidence in integrity of the criminal justice system. I have been and will continue to be a good steward of public monies. Thank you and I ask for your vote.

Mark Nichols

I have 15 years of experience working with law and justice issues, which has prepared me to serve as your next Prosecuting Attorney.

I spent five years as a law enforcement officer in our National Park Service. Thereafter, I spent almost a decade serving as a deputy prosecutor in Washington State. This combined experience gives me an intimate understanding of the needs, pressures, and demands confronting the men and women that keep our communities safe.

For nine years, I faithfully served in the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. I first worked within the criminal division, prosecuting a variety of cases (including serious felonies and sex offenses). Later, I transitioned to the civil division, litigating complicated and contentious matters on behalf of the County. I was meritoriously promoted to Chief Deputy – a position I held for seven and a half years.

As Chief, I supervised the Office’s attorneys and staff, served as in-house counsel for the County organization, carried a full case load, and streamlined administrative and Coroner functions. My years of service has earned the respect and endorsements of Sheriff Bill Benedict, Auditor Patty Rosand, and (former) Attorney General Rob McKenna – individuals who know the skills good prosecutors need in order to be effective.

At present, I serve as Clallam County’s Hearing Examiner. In this capacity, I help the County make lawful and defensible land use decisions. This experience, combined with the years I served as Chief Deputy, enables me to effectively advise the Board of Commissioners and the Department of Community Development with respect to legislation and decisions that impact private property rights.

I am committed to public safety, justice, and service:

It is imperative that crimes have consequences. I will fight to hold individuals accountable for their bad acts, especially those perpetrated against our youth and our seniors. I will utilize my past service as a commissioned officer, strong relationships with law enforcement, nearly a decade of prosecutorial experience, and comfort in a courtroom to lead the Office in protecting the people’s safety.

I will advance justice, not simply within the criminal courts, but throughout the County organization. The prosecutor serves as the County’s chief legal adviser and an important “check and balance” within government. It is the prosecutor’s duty to help government appreciate the risks and liabilities of its actions. After having served as Chief Deputy and Hearing Examiner, I know the strengths and weaknesses of government. This knowledge will help the County respond appropriately to the challenges ahead. Moreover, it will help government become more responsive, transparent, and accountable to the people.

I will recruit and retain employees committed to public service. I will ensure the Office is staffed with exceptionally qualified individuals that do the job lawfully, ethically, and efficiently for the benefit of the people.

It is paramount that the community have absolute confidence that its Elected Prosecutor will follow and enforce the law. The Office should be nonpartisan, and I will treat it that way. I respectfully ask for your vote.