Day after Haller withdraws, DeWine announces bid for Greene prosecutor’s job

A day after Greene County Prosecutor Stephen Haller announced he won't seek re-election next year after all, his former assistant prosecutor, Alice DeWine, has announced she is running for the office.

DeWine said in a statement released Thursday evening “Mr. Haller’s retirement makes my decision clear.”

“Steve Haller has been a good public servant and a well-respected prosecutor serving Greene County for over 44 years. My husband, Nick, joins me in wishing him and his family all the best,” DeWine’s statement reads.

>> RELATED: Haller changes mind, says he will not seek re-election

Haller’s decision not to run came about two weeks after he held a press conference announcing he would be running for office. In the release about his decision not to seek re-election, Haller thanked his supporters and expressed sorrow that “unforeseen circumstances” changed his plan and he must focus on the health and well-being of his family.

Credit: Doug Lewis

Credit: Doug Lewis

DeWine, the daughter of Gov. Mike DeWine, is currently working for the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office after she left the Greene County office in April, a position she held for 10 years.

DeWine said she will push to create a county-wide drug court “that allows us to properly focus our resources between serious crimes and other offenses.”

“I believe that drug courts can save lives, will save taxpayer money by reducing repeat offenses, and in-turn, will reduce crime in Greene County,” DeWine’s statement reads.

DeWine prosecuted several child abuse cases and worked as a full-time prosecutor based at Michael’s House in Fairborn. DeWine said the county no longer dedicates a full-time prosecutor at the child advocacy center, and she plans to restore that program.

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“I saw first-hand both the unbelievable problems and incredible advocates standing up for children,” her statement reads. “A good prosecutor is fair, compassionate, reasonable and unyielding in the face of injustice. The prosecutor speaks for those who don’t think anyone will listen to them, for those who think they don’t have a voice ... the job of the prosecutor also is to comfort victims and calm our fear that crime and lawlessness will overwhelm our community – will rob our citizens of the sense of security to which they are entitled as the hardworking people of this county.”

DeWine has launched a website that provides biographical information and a way for people to donate funds to support her campaign.

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