Aug. 14 primary will likely determine Koss’ successor
Unless somebody launches a pretty aggressive write-in campaign, the Tuesday, Aug. 14 partisan primary will determine who the next District Attorney will be in Walworth County.
Local attorneys Dan Necci and Steven Harvey, both running on the Republican ticket, hope to succeed Philip Koss, who has been the county’s top prosecutor for more than two decades, and vacated his post for a seat on the bench beginning Wednesday. Gov. Scott Walker has not yet appointed an interim district attorney. The new term begins Jan. 1.
While Harvey, a Delavan attorney boasts more experience in the courtroom, Necci, who lives in Delavan and practices in Elkhorn, says he is the candidate who is more locally connected.
Each candidate recently responded to questions from the Independent, about what motivates them and their personal beliefs about what it takes to run the District Attorney’s Office.
Reason for seeking position?
Necci: “After being approached by senior members of the Bar Association, law enforcement and the judiciary, I came to understand that Walworth County is seeking a tested and true conservative who is a resident: vested and active in his community of Walworth County to lead this important office.”
Harvey: “I have always enjoyed prosecuting for municipal clients throughout my 19-year career, and now I want to make it my full-time job. I enjoy litigation work. I felt Mr. Necci was not the best candidate for the job.”
What makes you a better choice for DA over your opponent?
Harvey: “In a word, experience! Necci has only conducted one civil jury trial and has never conducted a criminal jury trial in his short career. I have many jury trials, civil and criminal, and hundreds of court trials. I have office management experience, versus his lack of such experience – only running his own office for two to three years.”
Necci: “First, my family and I live, work, play, serve and worship right here in Walworth County as opposed to my Jefferson County opponent.
“Also, my professional experience, personal philosophies, and background are trusted as I have been endorsed by state and local elected officials, law enforcement, and many of our community leaders including Rep. Tyler August, Former Walworth County District Attorney David Danz, Former Chief of Police of Genoa City and Williams Bay Village President John Mara, Former County Board member and State Representative Tom Lothian, Wisconsin ‘Super Lawyer’ Lowell Sweet and the Republican Party of Walworth County.”
What is unique about prosecuting in Walworth County?
Necci: “As Walworth County has a population of a little over 100,000 people, the District Attorney is in a unique position to have a very direct and hands-on approach to his or her community. That’s why it is vital that our next District Attorney be one of us, with a vested interest in his community of Walworth County. That he know, and have a passion for its people from Sharon to East Troy and all in between.”
Harvey: “As a border county, interstate drug trafficking and OWI issues abound. As a tourist area, quality of life issues are common.”
Is there any room to improve operations at the DA’s office? In what areas?
Harvey: “I have said I thought the DA’s office procedures have evolved slowly over time, standing the test of time, and being disputed in court, is necessary. I intend to see a smooth transition after 22 years with DA Koss, so I don’t intend to make wholesale changes. Any changes will be slow and incremental, only made after careful review.”
Necci: “As your next District Attorney, in all matters from the most mundane to the most pressing, my office will seek the most efficient method of administering justice, holding the guilty accountable while paying attention to the plight of victims and the taxpayers of Walworth County.”
What programs and policies, if any, would you implement as District Attorney to reduce crime and increase public safety?
Necci: “We will implement those programs and policies that represent the most efficient method of administering justice holding the guilty accountable while paying attention to the plight of victims and the taxpayers of Walworth County. I see promise in the new OWI court system, and look forward to implementing a cost effective, proven drug court as well. In my office, nothing is off the table where we can make a tangible change in the quality of life here in our community of Walworth County.”
Harvey: “I look to coordinate with the jail’s transition to more electronic monitoring. I am open to considering a drug court and the new veterans court. I look to continue the DA’s traditionally strong role assisting crime victims.”
Do you support sending non-violent drug offenders to state prison, why or why not?
Harvey: “Prison is usually the wrong remedy for simply possession cases. Drug dealing and manufacturing continue to be proper cases for prison, to protect the public, punish offenders and avoid unduly depreciating the seriousness of the offense.”
Necci: “I believe that where true and authentic opportunities for redemption have failed, those who have demonstrated themselves to be a danger to our community, quite simply, must be separated from our community for an extensive period of time for all of our safety.”
What would your office policies be regarding plea-bargaining in drug offense cases? Would you encourage plea bargains that include drug treatment and rehabilitation in place of incarceration and state prison?
Necci: “Plea bargaining in drug offense cases requires a case-by-case analysis factoring impact on the community, past records of offenses, and previous opportunities for redemption. Every day and in every matter, my office will seek nothing less than truth and justice. Whatever justice looks like under a given scenario is what my office will seek at sentencing which could include treatment to an extensive prison stay and everything in between.”
Harvey: “I would look to establish office policies that have evolved in the DA’s office. Treatment/rehab versus jail/prison will primarily be distinguished by simple possession versus dealing and manufacturing.”
What is your personal philosophy when it comes to your work in the courtroom?
Harvey: “We are public servants, whose job is to zealously represent law enforcement. We must protect victims, and make sure to do our part so that judges can fairly dispense justice. However, we are ethically bound to be courteous in the court and to parties.”
Necci: “Professionalism at all times while remaining heavily engaged with and accessible to the people of our community of Walworth County. I believe it is because of my track record in this regard that my campaign has seen such widespread support from those who make their livings in and around our Courthouse.”
Biographies of the candidates follow:
Dan Necci
Address: 924 Center Street
Age: 33
Occupation: attorney, Law Office of Daniel A. Necci, Elkhorn
Education: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Marquette University School of Law
Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in the Wisconsin State Assembly, 32nd District
Organizations: Lakeshores Library Board, Calvary Community Church, Delavan Red Devils, Walworth County Republican Party Executive Board, William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation
Steven Harvey
Address: 115 Carriage Way #4, Palmyra
Age: 45
Occupation: attorney, Wassel, Harvey & Schuk, Delavan
Education: University of Notre Dame, Marquette University Law School
Political experience: None
Organizations: State Bar of Wisconsin, Walworth County Bar Association
