Note: The Lawrence Times runs opinion columns and letters to the Times written by community members with varying perspectives on local issues. These pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Times staff.
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The citizens of Douglas County deserve to have a safe community where our leaders work together to solve problems. That is not what we have in our current District Attorney Suzanne Valdez. In fact, she has done quite the opposite during her time in office. Her hostile and unprofessional behavior has been an unnecessary distraction and it has compromised the safety of our communities. She was even recommended for public censure for her conduct — something that is actually pretty rare.
That is one of the many reasons I’m voting for Dakota Loomis on Aug. 6. He is deeply invested in our community. He knows what makes Lawrence unique and why we must make sure our community is safe and just for all people. He knows that for all families and neighborhoods to thrive, citizens must feel safe and secure on our streets. That security — or lack thereof — impacts each citizen and the quality of life across our county.
I’ve been working in Democratic politics for more than 20 years. I met Dakota in 2006 on the campaign for Kansas attorney general where I served as press secretary. After we won, we both went to work in the attorney general’s office. Later we worked together again fighting back against Sam Brownback and his grand “experiment.” Dakota has alway been brilliant, passionate, compassionate and hardworking — whether in the courtroom, on the campaign trail or coaching his daughter’s soccer team.
Dakota has spent his career fighting for the same progressive values that I hold dear. But he has also demonstrated that he is an effective, experienced attorney in the courtroom. He has a track record of doing the hard work necessary to build relationships with diverse partners to solve big problems — from law enforcement to social services to mental health and addiction specialists. That is what a leader must do — even if they don’t always get their way.
Although the district attorney is an elected position, it should not be political. It is a criminal justice and public safety office. It is vital to our community and it is critical that we choose the right leader for this position. We’ve seen the consequences in the last few years of making the wrong choice. We need a district attorney with excellent legal skills, good judgment and the right priorities. And that person must also be committed to our community’s values of fairness, justice, equity and respect for all people.
I’ve known and worked with Dakota for almost 20 years. He is exactly what Douglas County needs in this critical role in our community. Join me in supporting Dakota Loomis for district attorney on Aug. 6.
— Ashely All (she/her), Lawrence
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