Friday, May 19, 2000
Foes in career argument
By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — Experience is always an issue in political contests. But it has emerged as the dominant theme in the Boone-Gallatin County commonwealth attorney primary between Republicans Linda Tally Smith and Howe Baker.
There is no Democrat running to replace Willie Mathis, the 25-year incumbent who is retiring. So the primary winner will become the top felony prosecutor for Boone and Gallatin counties in January.
Mr. Mathis, a former Democrat who switched to Republican last year, is backing Ms. Tally Smith, 30, of Union. She has worked as an assistant commonwealth attorney for six years — three in Owen and Grant counties and the last three years in Boone and Gallatin counties for Mr. Mathis.
Mr. Baker, 50, of Verona, has been a prosecutor for 10 years. He worked six years as an assistant Boone County Attorney before taking a similar position four years ago in the Campbell County attorney's office.
But Ms. Tally Smith said she has been prosecuting felony cases in circuit court and presenting cases before grand juries — work she says her opponent has not done.
“I've handled homicides, child sexual abuse cases, burglaries, robberies and every type of complex criminal cases,” Ms. Tally Smith said. “ ... I wouldn't dream of trying to take the helm of this office having never done this and coming out of a county attorney's office.”
Mr. Baker said he handles more than 700 cases a year, making him “the more experienced and mature candidate in this race.”
Mr. Baker acknowledges that his experience is in district court, which handles some felony cases but mostly smaller matters such as misdemeanors, driving under the influence charges, traffic violations, arraignments and the drafting of warrants.
“But when you're looking at the law there is no real difference between district and circuit courts,” Mr. Baker said.
“We have to follow the same rules of evidence,” he said. “There's no secret to prosecuting felony cases. The same rules apply.”
“It's not the same,” his opponent said. “I'm not belittling it, but (district court) is not even close to circuit court. There's no comparison.”
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