Nicholas Sarwark, Hillsborough County Attorney Candidate

Nicholas Sarwark

Age (as of Election Day)

43

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Hillsborough County Attorney

Party Affiliation

Libertarian/Democrat

Family

Married to Valerie Sarwark for 13 years, we have four children.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Washington Adventist University, Juris Doctor in Law from American University.

Occupation

Attorney since 2008

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

sarwarkforthepeople.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I'm running to make Hillsborough County a safer place by raising the County Attorney office's level of legal practice, mentoring young prosecutors to help them effectively prosecute the violent and property crimes which should be any prosecutor's focus.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The incumbent has not been able to clear the backlog of serious criminal cases, has been sanctioned by the courts for systemic problems in the office, and is losing experience prosecutors due to low morale and burnout. Communication with law enforcement and the community is inadequate and cases are not getting resolved efficiently and effectively, denying justice to victims, defendants, and the community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The key issue in the 2020 election was the unusually large backlog of unresolved cases, and the high caseload, in the County Attorney's office.

Two years later, I'm running again to address those backlogs and caseloads that have gotten worse under John Coughlin in the last two years.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Despite a 22% increase in the office's budget -- delivered by the Democratic county delegation -- Coughlin's administration has been marked by high turnover, with replacements seeming to be more about rewarding partisan loyalists than hiring competent prosecutors.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My campaign is about seeking justice for all the people who live in Hillsborough County, regardless of their political affiliation. There isn't a Democratic or Republican way to seek justice for a rape victim, there's just a right way.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In my legal career I've personally handled hundreds of felony criminal cases, including dozens that went to a jury trial. My felony criminal trial experience gained working in a busy jurisdiction with high caseloads exceeds that of my opponent and I want to bring that experience to the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office to keep my family safe and yours.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Judge politicians based on their actions, not their words.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Our family chose to live in Manchester, New Hampshire because it offered a great place to raise our four children. When it became clear that my experience could improve the safety and security of the community we chose as a home, I knew I had to step up to run for this position. If you want safer streets for our families and a prosecutor's office run with experience and professionalism, please vote Nicholas Sarwark for Hillsborough County Attorney on November 3.