When Democrat Forrest Wegge opted not to run for a fourth four-year term as Jefferson County prosecuting attorney, two Republicans and a Democrat lined up to replace him.
The two Republicans – Trisha C. Stefanski, who is an assistant prosecutor, and private attorney Mark Bishop – will square off for their party’s nomination in the Aug. 7 primary election.
The winner will face Democrat Tom Hollingsworth, another assistant prosecutor under Wegge, in the November general election.
The prosecuting attorney is paid $137,735 a year.
STEFANSKI, 43, lists her address as P.O. Box 1004, Arnold. She and her fiance, Patrick Christopher, have four children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from Southwest Missouri State in 1998 and a law degree from St. Louis University in 2005. She has been a communications chair for the Immaculate Conception Athletic Association since 2016, a bunco chairperson for Holy Child School since 2014 and a member of the Drug Endangered Children Coalition since 2016. She was the fundraising co-chair for the Meramec Sharks hockey team in 2015-2016.
Social media: Website: www.stefanskiforpa.com Facebook: Trisha Stefanski for Jefferson County Prosecutor 2018
BISHOP, 48, lives at 1922 Belmont Drive, Festus. He and his wife, Rebecca, have four sons. He is an attorney and partner with the Wegmann Law Firm in Hillsboro. He received bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and political science from the University of Missouri in 1993 and a law degree from Southern Illinois University in 1996. He is the prosecuting attorney for De Soto and Herculaneum and the city attorney for Leadington, De Soto and Ste. Genevieve, a member and past president of the Rotary Club, member and former board member of the Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Festus-Crystal City Elks, Knights of Columbus, Backstoppers, National Rifle Association, Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association, the De Soto, Northwest and Arnold chambers of commerce, Jefferson County Growth Association and the Lancer Endowment Fund at St. Pius X High School. He also coaches CYC basketball. He was a member of the Windsor C-1 Board of Education from 2000-2004 and was a member of the Festus-Crystal City Kiwanis Club, the Festus Library Board, the Jefferson County Library Board, the Jefferson County YMCA Board of Advisors and the Our Lady Catholic Church parish council.
Social media: Website: www.Bishop2018.com Facebook: Mark Bishop For Prosecuting Attorney
What are the prosecuting attorney's duties? Why are you qualified to carry them out?
Stefanski: The prosecutor hires and trains assistant prosecutors and staff. He or she helps evaluate cases and has the ultimate say in how a case is resolved. The prosecuting attorney is also involved in the community to help prevent crime. I have been doing all of these things for the past 11 years as an assistant prosecutor. I am involved in the community, often speaking at town hall-type events about crime prevention. My years as a restaurant manager have given me the tools that I need to lead the office and handle conflicts.
Bishop: The prosecutor seeks justice on behalf of the victims of crime and supervises about a dozen attorneys plus support staff. I am the most qualified candidate. As a prosecutor, I have handled every type of criminal matters, from capital murder to traffic matters. As a small business owner, I have hired personnel, supervised attorneys and managed payroll and benefit expenditures. As an attorney, I have represented public entities and corporations as they deal with the same issues the elected prosecutor faces, including personnel, budget management and workers compensation issues, among others.
What is your opinion about the current operation of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office? What changes would you make?
Stefanski: There are hard-working people who care about the community who work in the office. While it runs smoothly, like any office, it could use some updates. I would work with the County Council to create another position and a domestic abuse-sex crimes unit. This would help victims get their cases reviewed and charged faster. The prosecutor and local law enforcement should have a yearly cross-training program so that they are continuously working together. Our office would also be more transparent, informing the public when certain cases are charged, tried and when laws change.
Bishop: I think change is needed:
■ I will work to send repeat offenders to prison.
■ I will start a diversion program for 18- to 22-year-olds who commit nonviolent crimes. When the program is successfully completed, all charges will be dropped.
■ More charges will be issued when a suspect is initially arrested. I have heard from many in the law enforcement community who express frustration that their hard work is undermined by the current catch-and-release policy.
■ I will assign an assistant prosecutor as a liaison to each police department to improve communication.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Stefanski: For the last 11 years, I have worked hard to not only protect our community, but make it a better place. I have proved to be able to be both compassionate and tough when needed. If elected, I will build a stronger relationship with law enforcement. Our office will participate in more community events, involving crime prevention. One of my top priorities will be to move cases faster, especially those involving victims, so that they may come to a resolution.
Bishop: Jefferson County deserves a professional and effective prosecuting attorney. My experience as a prosecutor, public defender and partner in the Wegmann Law Firm makes me uniquely qualified to serve as the next prosecuting attorney. I will improve the efficiency of the office to effectively address the opioid epidemic, violent crimes and repeat offenders. Jefferson County is a great place to live and work. We have wonderful people, businesses and schools. However, there are a few criminals that need to be dealt with in a tough, but fair, manner. If elected, I will work tirelessly to keep Jefferson County safe.