Meet the Calhoun County State’s Attorney Candidates
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Election day is next Tuesday, Nov. 8, and the Calhoun County State’s Attorney Candidates, Lucas Fanning and Keisha Morris, were sent surveys from the Calhoun News-Herald staff. Both candidates responded to the four questions and the following responses are in their own words.
Lucas Fanning – Republican
1. What will be your top three priorities if elected?
My top three priorities would be to keep Calhoun safe, help Calhoun grow and thrive, and work to keep the people of Calhoun informed on key issues. First, creating a safe environment for our children is most important and will be my main goal. Keeping drugs and crime out of the County is a top priority in this effort. Second, Calhoun is declining in population and lacks opportunities for business growth. Both of these issues I hope to improve with the help of the County Board, and the citizens of Calhoun. Finally, My goal will be where all feel welcome to come to me with their concerns. My goal as State’s Attorney will not simply be to punish criminals, but to work with the citizens. I will aim to keep community members informed and prepared for any law changes, challenges our community is facing and dangers to be aware of.
2. What experience will you bring into the office of Calhoun County State’s Attorney?
I have been working for the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office handling a variety of cases including traffic, misdemeanor, as well as felony cases involving drugs, and or violent crime. During this time I’ve gained valuable experience prosecuting. The second experience I will bring is the experience I gained from growing up in Calhoun. I understand the values of our fellow community members. This will directly allow me to handle cases in the best interest of Calhoun citizens.
3. What are your thoughts on the SAFE-T Act?
The SAFE-T Act which stands for Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity-Today is a bill drafted and then signed by J.B Pritzker in response to certain deaths that were publicized by the media. The bill was not properly thought out and has already had many reforms to it. This Act will make it more difficult to detain individuals for violent crimes, to hold people when they may be a risk to themselves or even to the community, and overall makes it more difficult for my office and for the officers to stay safe and do their job. My hope is that further changes and reforms will come from our legislators in the coming months, but I can assure the people of Calhoun County that myself, and the Sheriff’s Office will be prepared to address these changes and keep Calhoun safe.
4. Why should Calhoun County voters choose you?
The most important reasons I believe Calhoun County voters should vote for me is my love for the county and my experience.
First, I was raised in Calhoun and I am bringing my wife back to Calhoun to raise our own family here. My values reflect that of my fellow Calhoun citizens. Wishing to raise my own family here creates a sense of investment, a need to work to keep Calhoun safe, and to help it grow and thrive. I aspire to do all of this for the citizens of Calhoun, but I also wish to do it for my own family. Second, my entire career has been spent prosecuting in Madison County. This experience has given me a distinct understanding of the role of a prosecutor, the duty to the citizens and importance of the job of keeping the county that I will be representing safe.
Keisha Morris – Democrat
1. What will be your top three priorities if elected?
My top three priorities are to continue to protect, represent and grow Calhoun County to the best of my ability. I will continue to work closely with law enforcement to develop strong relationships with the citizens of the community. We firmly believe in “See something, say something.” But that only works when you feel like you can approach law enforcement and they will listen. Our officers are always working to develop a solid relationship with you. Additionally, my office always maintains an open-door policy.
2. What experience will you bring into the office of Calhoun County State’s Attorney?
I have practiced criminal law in our district for over 13 years. Prior to that, I worked in private practice with a focus in real estate and business law. I obtained my law degree in 2005 from Drake University. Additionally, I have my 43 years of living on this earth. Plus I have had the most challenging position of all, raising two children who are now adults. I will bring all of these experiences into this position.
3. What are your thoughts on the SAFE-T Act?
I think the SAFE-T Act was passed with good intentions but it is overly broad and, in my opinion, unconstitutional. This Act has made a bright line rule based on the offense alone and left judicial discretion out of the law. Up until now, our Judge has had the authority to place anyone under arrest that he feels poses a danger to the community. Taking out the ability to view incidents on a case-by-case basis is what disturbs me the most about this act. I believe revisions need to be made to the Act to allow judicial oversight.
4. Why should Calhoun County voters choose you?
I have been the acting State’s Attorney in Calhoun since January, 2022. In that time, I have supported our County Board, prosecuted cases on behalf of the citizens and respond to the needs of our community. I have developed a great working relationship with courthouse personnel, the Judge and the Sheriff’s department. I will continue to work on your behalf remembering that I owe my responsibility to you. I have made Calhoun County my home and I intend to stay here to live out the remainder of my years. I am invested in Calhoun’s success just like you.
