Neither candidate for Story County attorney is lacking experience, but each thinks his experience is more valuable than the other’s.

Democrat Stephen Holmes currently is serving as the first assistant to Story County attorney Mary Richards.

He said the experience he has gained in the office will help him if elected.

“I know how [the office] runs and what it takes to keep it running,” Holmes said.

Republican Richard Vander Mey also has worked as a prosecutor for several years.

Vander Mey has been prosecuting for 18 years and is working as an assistant county attorney in Tama County.

The county attorney is in charge of prosecuting all criminal cases and violations of state law in the county. Also included in the position’s duties, is the advisement and defense of the county through the Board of Supervisors in civil matters.

If elected, one of Vander Mey’s initiatives would be to work more closely with law enforcement officers. He said helping police know what evidence to collect can help build effective cases.

“If you can work with police and help them put together winnable cases and present those cases effectively, we can save lives,” Vander Mey said.

Vander Mey said he views protecting the community as an important aspect of the county attorney’s job and believes that building “winnable” cases would provide for the safety of his constituents.

“No one’s going to ever come up and thank me or the police for being vigorous about drunk driving cases, but I know there are people alive because of that,” he said.

Holmes said his familiarity with the local law enforcement, probation and various groups including the university would be to his benefit as Story County attorney.

“I think this community is unique certainly because of the university setting,” he said. “It’s a much different office than the Tama County office [where Vander Mey works].”

An additional ballot item may affect the role of the Story County attorney. Iowa’s ballot contains an initiative that would not allow jury trials for people convicted of simple misdemeanors. Both candidates said they were in favor of the change, which they say would prevent courts from being clogged with minor cases.

Simple misdemeanors include simple assault, disorderly conduct and theft in the fifth degree. The maximum penalty for a simple misdemeanor is either 30 days in jail or a $100 fine.

Holmes said he supports the change because it will allow for much quicker disposition of simple misdemeanor cases.

“I think that’s needed because, at this time, to be able to demand a jury trial for a case where the only penalty is a fine is a luxury,” he said. “When the Constitution was written, they had a different meaning in mind — not speeding tickets.”

After 18 years as a prosecutor, Vander Mey said he isn’t in the business for the money. “You can help people,” he said. “I can’t think of anything more worthwhile for a lawyer to do than be dedicated to protecting the community.”

Holmes said his qualifications can help him serve Story County.

“It’s important that qualified people attempt to seek public office,” he said. “It’s important to be both practical and compassionate in this job.”