Grant County prosecutor candidates selected by Republican party

by Cameron Probert<br>Herald Staff Writer
| January 6, 2009 8:00 PM

EPHRATA — The Grant County Republican Party selected three candidates for the position of Grant County Prosecutor.

One of the candidates will replace outgoing Grant County Prosecutor John Knodell, who will be sworn in as a superior court judge on Friday. Knodell won the election to replace retiring Superior Court Judge Ken Jorgensen.

The Republican Party started accepting applications for prosecutor in September. They received five names Angus Lee, Albert Lin, Steve Hallstrom, Ed Owens and Robert Schiffner.

The candidates gave a presentation to 61 precinct committee officers Saturday, said Tom Dent, former Grant County Republican Party chairman. They were each asked five questions and given five minutes to make a presentation.

Lee was chosen on the first vote and then his name was removed and the officers voted again, selecting Schiffner and then Lin.

“A meeting like this doesn’t have discussion,” Dent said. “The candidates all had the opportunity to talk with the (precinct committee officers.)”

The Grant County commissioners will interview the candidates starting with Lin today. Then they interview Schiffner and Lee on Wednesday, commissioner Cindy Carter said.

“We’re looking for somebody who can run the prosecutor’s office, a leader and somebody who understands the legal system,” she said. “There are quite a few employees. They aren’t just in superior court. There’s prosecutors in district court and in juvenile court.”

All of the candidates are aware of Grant County’s court system, she said. They will interview the candidates in executive session and plan on having a selection by Friday.

Lee, a deputy prosecutor in district court, appreciates the support the committee officers have shown, he said.

Lin, a deputy prosecutor in superior court, said he is honored to be one of the candidates up for the position.

Schiffner, a Moses Lake attorney, said he was humbled by his selection by the committee officers. He said he’s proud of the support he’s received from various community members.