Greene County prosecutor changes mind, says he will not seek re-election

Credit: Doug Lewis

Credit: Doug Lewis

Greene County Prosecutor Stephen Haller announced Wednesday that he is not running for re-election in November 2020, reversing course after earlier announcing he would.

Haller released a statement that he will not be seeking re-election for the prosecutor’s office, which he has held since 2006.

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“I am saddened to say that unforeseen circumstances have changed my plan to run in 2020,” Haller’s statement reads. “I must put the health and well-being of my family above everything else. I want to thank all of you who have supported me over the years and were ready to step up for this campaign. Your support means the world to me.”

Haller’s term ends in January 2021.

“As prosecutor, I will continue to provide the highest level of service to all of our clients,” Haller’s statement reads.

Haller on Aug. 27 had announced he would seek the position again.

Alice DeWine, Gov. Mike DeWine’s daughter, left the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office in April and is now working for the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office. She told this news organization late last week that she was considering challenging Haller in the next election.

“It’s certainly something I’ve been considering over the past month,” DeWine said. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about and talking to people about, but I haven’t made an ultimate decision.”

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DeWine hasn’t yet announced whether she will be running for the office.

When asked on Wednesday for her reaction to Haller’s announcement and whether she had decided to run for his office, DeWine issued a brief statement, stating she has “a lot of respect for Steve Haller.”

“I appreciate his service to Greene County, and I wish him well,” DeWine’s statement reads.

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