To the editor:
In response to Kenneth Park’s announcement that he has suspended his campaign for Lincoln County District Attorney, I have one question for him. What campaign? Kenneth Park has done absolutely nothing that a person actually campaigning for office would do. It is abundantly clear from Jonathan Cable’s campaign materials that he has never viewed Park as an “opponent.” Park declined to withdraw his name from the election when he had the opportunity, instead using his announcement of suspending a campaign that never existed as a political stunt.
I have been a deputy district attorney in Lincoln County for 13 years. I have been here through multiple district attorney election cycles. I was hoping this campaign would not get dirty and tear our office apart, but Jonathan Cable and his team are engaging in some of the dirtiest politics I have ever witnessed. When I read or hear the untrue things that Cable and his supporters say about Lanee Danforth, I want to respond. But I will follow Danforth’s lead and take the high road. What matters is not what people who have an agenda say about Lanee Danforth, but who she really is, what leaders who are trusted in this community say about her and who should serve as your district attorney.
Our circuit court judges are not allowed to endorse candidates for district attorney. But I encourage you to ask court staff, victims, jurors and anyone else that has seen Lanee Danforth at work, what they think of her. Does she act with integrity and professionalism? Does she know and follow the law? The answer is yes.
Lanee Danforth has shown tremendous leadership in the DA’s office. She is a problem solver. She has many supporters in the DA’s office, but they are reluctant to speak up because they fear retaliation, as do I. But someone has to have the courage to speak up and tell the truth about why Lanee Danforth is running for district attorney. Lanee Danforth is running because she cares deeply about victims, our community, integrity, the law and doing what is right. You will not find anyone who knows the law better or works harder on behalf of our community. I invite you to get to know Lanee Danforth and vote for her in May.
— Kylie Andrisa, Newport
