County prosecutor pulls his name from the November ballot
By KEVIN WISER
Express Staff Writer
Jim Thomas, chief deputy with the Blaine County
Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, left, and prosecuting attorney Doug Werth field
questions at a press conference at the old County Courthouse in Hailey.
Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney Doug Werth announced Friday that he
will not seek another term this fall, and endorsed his chief deputy Jim Thomas as his
successor.
"I intend to serve out the remainder of my [four year] term, about 11
months, and allow the electorate to determine my successor," Werth said.
Werth, 38, said he plans to go into private practice in Blaine County and
to remain active in the community.
"The reason I went to law school was to go into private
practice," Werth said. "It seemed that now was the right time for me to do
that."
Werth thanked the people of the community who have supported him
throughout his tenure as prosecuting attorney, including law enforcement officials, the
county commissioners, school officials and members of the Advocates for Survivors of
Domestic Violence.
"I’m proud of my service since being appointed in the Fall of
1995 and have a full plate of objectives yet to accomplish in the next 11 months of my
term," Werth said.
When asked what was the best and worst of his tenure as prosecuting
attorney, Werth said, "I felt I would be involved in important issues and that came
to pass. Working with the community on important programs such as the Narcotic Enforcement
Team and issues such as domestic violence and child abuse are the most rewarding aspects
of the job."
"I liked the politics part of the job the least," Werth added.
In endorsing his 45-year-old chief deputy to succeed him, Werth pointed to
Thomas’s experience, which includes more than 11 years as a prosecutor here and a
public defender in Oklahoma.
Werth said that Thomas, who is also a member of the Bellevue City Council,
has worked tirelessly over the last four years prosecuting the bulk of the felony cases in
Blaine County.
"I strongly support Jim Thomas’ run for this office because I
know he will serve the county well," Werth said.
Thomas said that in his four years as chief deputy prosecuting attorney,
he has become aware of the important role the prosecuting attorney has in Blaine County,
not only in prosecuting crime but also in being a community leader and representing the
county in civil matters.
"I believe I have the experience, temperament and dedication to
represent the people of Blaine County with distinction and to be a proactive community
leader," Thomas said.
Thomas identified juvenile issues, victims’ rights, child abuse,
domestic violence and law enforcement as important issues.
"The prosecutors office must work closely with the schools and courts
to identify kids at risk," Thomas said. "We should bring resources to bear
before juveniles end up as repeat offenders."
