Time for Change
Gerald Richard and Tim Nelson to challenge Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas in September election
By Luis Garcia
PHOENIX — Gerald Richard and Tim Nelson have long legal résumés, histories with the GLBT community, and both want to unseat current Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
Although Thomas has not indicated if he will seek reelection, the contest is considered one of the most important political races in Arizona.
On Sept. 2, registered Democrats will decide who will be their party’s nominee and best chance to unseat the embattled incumbent.
As County Attorney, Thomas' office has been the focus of controversies, some of which have earned national exposure and the ire of enraged residents of Maricopa County.
In October of last year Thomas' office ordered the arrests of Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin, owners of the Phoenix New Times, because they published details of a grand-jury investigation. Thomas’ office then demanded the Internet records of any person who had visited the newspaper's Web site in the last three years.
The charges against the two editors were later dropped after the admission that serious missteps were made by the special county prosecutor.
And most recently Thomas testified in superior court on charges that he abused his power when he authorized the wiretap of Samuel Dieteman and Dale Hausner, in Aug. 2006, instead of having the request approved by a judge.
Richard told Echo it was disturbing for a county attorney to violate the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech, or of the press such as Thomas did in the New Times incident.
“After that I just felt that enough was enough,” Richard said.
According to Richard, he is not seeking the position to be a career politician and promises that he will not use the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for political purposes or to further a personal agenda as he claims Thomas has been doing since he was elected.
“I have the experience,” Richard said. “I have been a deputy county attorney. I want to establish a link between the courts, the law enforcement, the community and the county attorney’s office.”
Richard has also established a remarkable relationship with the GLBT community that can be traced back since he was the attorney for the Phoenix Police Department in 1989.
“Before I was there, we never participated in gay pride,” Richard said. “I have strongly supported Pride and the Rainbows festivals. I have always made sure we have a liaison for the GLBT community and build the relationship that we have to overcome the bias within the agency. I have been there every step of the way. We all need to work together to get things done.”
Richard will have a tough primary race with Nelson, who has practiced law for 20 years and has recently served as general counsel to Governor Janet Napolitano, where he advised her on a variety of legal issues, including drafting the executive order granting domestic partner benefits to active Arizona employees of state government and public universities.
Nelson has earned the admiration of fellow attorneys such as Darrel Jackson, who was mentored by Nelson when he began his career as a brand new associate at Brown & Bain, P.A.
“He is a very thoughtful guy and takes his time to think about issues,” Jackson said. “He is good-natured and very smart. I was out and open about my sexuality when I worked at Brown & Bain and that was never an issue. He would never use that against someone to judge them. He is very accepting.”
Nelson told Echo that he decided to run for County Attorney because he, like many citizens from across the county, was tired of the scandals involving the County Attorney's office and was troubled by the growing tension between the County Attorney and the courts.
“People who are knowledgeable about the issues are ready for a change in county attorney,” Nelson said. “Thomas is doing a lousy job, and unlike Thomas I have had a good relationship with the GLBT community.”
Both candidates agree that all crimes need to be prosecuted vigorously, especially hate crimes.
They also both agree that raising money in the election is important to educate voters about the poor choices Thomas has made.
Former Maricopa County deputy attorney Joe Vigil credits Thomas with his decision to leave the County Attorney’s office and is convinced either Nelson or Richard will be a superior choice than Thomas and healthier for the GLBT community.
“I would not — and could not — work for Andrew Thomas,” Vigil said.
“I don’t believe in his philosophies and politics. I just didn’t feel comfortable working for someone whose beliefs differ from mine. Both Gerald and Tim would do a great job and either one of them would benefit the GLBT community.”
Gerald Richard
Last Occupation: Director of the City of Phoenix Police Department.
Contact: 602-513-2743
Web site: www.richardforcountyattorney.com
Tim Nelson
Last Occupation: General Counsel to Governor Janet Napolitano
Contact: 602-672-2938
Web site: www.timnelson2008.com
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