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Haggard pulls out of St. Lawrence County DA race

Posted 9/8/17

By JIMMY LAWTON CANTON -- David Haggard has withdrawn his candidacy in the race for St. Lawrence County District Attorney, leaving just two candidates to compete for the job. “After much …

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Haggard pulls out of St. Lawrence County DA race

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- David Haggard has withdrawn his candidacy in the race for St. Lawrence County District Attorney, leaving just two candidates to compete for the job.

“After much consideration, I have decided to withdraw as a candidate for the office of St. Lawrence County District Attorney. Although I had the help of dedicated volunteers, I was unable to obtain enough signatures to secure an independent line on the ballot,” Haggard said. “I began my candidacy to stand up for the citizens of our county and to be a district attorney dedicated to seeking justice, not just convictions. To all my volunteers and the people who believed in my candidacy, I shall be forever grateful."

Haggard’s withdraw from the race leaves just two candidates vying for the position.

Running on the Republican ticket is Franklin County Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Pasqua, who has also received an endorsement from the St. Lawrence County Conservative party. Pasqua was the first candidate to announce his intent to run in December of 2016, before District Attorney Mary Rain announced she would not seek reelection.

“We believe Gary Pasqua is the man who can best lead the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office in the right direction. Gary has proven that he has the experience, integrity, vision, and passion to be the next district attorney of St. Lawrence County and we want to help him achieve that goal,” St. Lawrence County Conservative Party Chairman Henry “Hank” Ford said.

He has worked for the Franklin County DA’s Office since 2008 and has been chief ADA since January 2015.

Running on the Democratic ticket is Former Canton Town Justice James L. Monroe. Monroe received the endorsement from the St. Lawrence County Democratic Party. Monroe has had an extensive law career since 1992, having graduated from the University of Buffalo and has had considerable success as a prosecuting attorney. He has secured hundreds of felony convictions and has a long term winning record with juries. He served as the Chief Assistant District Attorney under former DA Nicole Duve from 2009 to 2014. He has also served as City Court Judge in the City of Ogdensburg and as Town Justice in the Town of Canton.

St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee Chair, Mark Bellardini, said he is proud of his committee’s endorsement of Monroe. According to Bellardini, “Jim has a proven track record in St. Lawrence County, and he will serve all of us well as our next District Attorney.”

The race will be decided Nov. 7, 2017 in the general election.