Primary defeat: Longtime DA loses to political newcomer

• Sean Froelich

Sean Froelich

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Sean Froelich, a law school graduate with no prosecutorial experience, handily defeated longtime Pierce County District Attorney John O’Boyle in Tuesday’s primary election.

When unofficial total results were posted shortly before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Froelich had out-scored O’Boyle 859 to 593.

The primary was held because both men filed as Democrats. There was no candidate from any other party on the DA ballot.

O’Boyle has been Pierce County’s lead prosecutor since he was first elected 20 years ago. He has practiced law in Pierce County since 1989 and was elected district attorney in 1992.

Froelich has a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and has served as a police officer for River Falls, Ellsworth and Pierce County.

A major argument Froelich made in the campaign was that a recent County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Needs Assessment “indicated that the third most common response to the biggest challenge question was the disconnect between the district attorney’s office and others, primarily law enforcement.”

Froelich said, “The DA’s office is the chief law enforcement agency in the county, and creating an effective, cohesive partnership with law enforcement is crucial.”

O’Boyle countered, “It is difficult to gauge differences with my opponent since he has never practiced law as an attorney. I believe he over estimates his law enforcement background and relationships as providing him the qualifications to be district attorney.

“There is more to being district attorney than being friends with police officers…

One cannot walk into this job with no experience practicing law and expect to have the necessary skills to effectively handle criminal cases as district attorney.”

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