Tonda Hill, a Lawrence resident who is currently serving as an assistant district attorney in Wyandotte County, is running as a Democrat for Douglas County district attorney.
Hill said in a Monday news release that managing an effective office that focuses on enforcing laws to keep the community safe is a high priority for her.
“I understand the importance of working with law enforcement, community stakeholders, and the legal community to ensure that justice is served fairly and impartially for the benefit of everyone,” Hill said in the release.
Hill has been prosecuting cases in Wyandotte County for the past three years. She handles high-level felonies and specializes in the prosecution of sex crimes, according to the release. Prior to joining the office, she served as a defense attorney in Shawnee County for seven years, and she has tried more than 30 jury trials altogether, according to the release.
Hill recently attended the 19th Annual Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas. The conference brings together experts from across the country to “educate community stakeholders on best practices regarding the identification, investigation, and prosecution of crimes against women,” according to the release. Hill emphasized the importance of continuing legal education that ensures that best practices and procedures are followed.
So far, two other Democratic candidates have filed to run: Suzanne Valdez, incumbent DA, and Dakota Loomis, a Lawrence defense attorney. Mike Warner, a Republican, also has filed for the seat. All are Lawrence residents.
Hill said in the release that she’s a strong proponent of alternatives to incarceration.
She would enhance access to the diversion process, support the current behavioral health court, drug court, mediation and restoration programs, and would work to establish veteran treatment court, according to the release. The University of Kansas School of Law is going to receive $1.6 million in federal funding for the establishment of a legal aid clinic dedicated to serving veterans, the school announced in April.
“The residents of Douglas County deserve to be represented by a District Attorney with strong experience and integrity,” Hill said in the release. “I am confident that I am the most qualified candidate and look forward to serving.”
Hill holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in education from KU. She graduated from the KU School of Law in May 2012.
The three Democratic candidates will face off in the Aug. 6 primary election, and the winner of that race will advance to the Nov. 7 general election.
The deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 6 primary election is Tuesday, July 16, but the deadline to change your party affiliation to vote in the primary is noon Monday, June 3. Douglas County voters can take care of their voter registration or registration updates and request mail ballots at ksvotes.org.
Key election dates
Douglas County voters can take care of their voter registration, updates and ballot requests at ksvotes.org. Check your districts at myvoteinfo.voteks.org.
• Deadline to file to run for office: noon Monday, June 3. Click here for more information.
• To change your party affiliation to vote in the Aug. 6, 2024 primary election: noon Monday, June 3
• To register, or update your registration, to vote on Aug. 6: Tuesday, July 16
• To request an advance voting mail ballot for the Aug. 6 primary: Tuesday, July 30
More election info: LawrenceKSTimes.com/Election2024
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Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
This post is by the Lawrence Times news team.
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