Athens County Prosecutor Race Heats Up

by Maggie Allen

Warren or Gwinn?

On March 4 Athens County voters will choose between two Democrats for the office of prosecutor. The primary will determine the race because there are no Republicans running for the position.

Who Are They?
Incumbent prosecutor C. David Warren has held his current position for the past seven years. Susan Gwinn is a private practice attorney. She is also the Athens County Democratic Chair. Each says they are qualified for the position of prosecutor.

Warren cites experience as the most important qualification for the job. "This is not a place for on-the-job training," he said. Gwinn believes that the twelve years she spent as an assistant for the attorney general makes her qualified for the office. "I have tried over fifty jury trials," she said. "I am ready to do the job."


David Warren says experience is the most important qualification


Susan Gwinn explains why she is ready for the job

Incumbant versus Party Chair: Dividing the Party?
The race is causing a stir in Athens County because the county Democratic party chair is challenging the incumbant. Gwinn says the fact that she is the sitting county Democratic Chair is not a problem when it comes to running for prosecutor.

"As chairperson I have done a lot to pull the party together," she said. "Warren is devisive."

Warren's response is that running against someone from your own party is never good for party unity.

"Judge Judy wrote a book called 'Don't Pee On My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining,' he said. "That's what's going on here."


Gwinn comments on running against a fellow democrat


Warren comments on competition from a fellow democrat

Campaign Tactics
As part of her campaign, Gwinn is airing several commercials that claim to point out flaws in Warren's performance as prosecutor. One of her criticisms is that he sometimes seeks unnecessary media attention. Warren says that being in the media simply goes with the territory. He refers to Gwinn's ads as "attack ads." Gwinn disagrees.

"He is calling them that because he doesn't want to talk about the issues," she comments.


Warren explains his presence in the media


Gwinn talks about her campaign ads

Voters will decide who is the best candidate for prosecutor on March 4.