Fighting opioid crisis, human trafficking, gangs focus of Olmstead campaign

Timothy M. Olmstead is making his first run for Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney.

The political newcomer seeks to replace current Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Paul Ebert, who has held the job since 1968.

Olmstead now faces Republican Mike May in a “Firehouse Primary” Election on Saturday, May 4.The winner will become the Republican nominee for the seat, and go on to run in the General Election on Nov. 5.

Democrats Tracey Lennox, and Amy Ashworth are also seeking the job. They will face off in a statewide Primary Election on June 11.

Find your polling place for the May 4, 2019, Republican Firehouse Primary

Find your polling place for the Nov. 5, 2019, General Election 

Name: Timothy M. Olmstead

Party: Republican

Town: Prince William County

Running for: Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney

Website: olmsteadforca.com

Work: Attorney

Education: George Mason University, B.S. in Law Enforcement; George Mason University, B.A. in Government & Politics; Cooley Law School, Western Michigan University, Juris Doctorate

Community Involvement: I am a member of the Virginia Bar, the Prince William County Bar Association, and Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. In addition to my practice, I provide pro bono representation to domestic violence victims, have been an adjunct professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Evidence Procedure at Northern Virginia Community College, have served on Prince William County’s Drug Court, and am a former member of the Virginia Homicide Investigators Association.

Questions and answers

PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent? 

Olmstead: A. Improve crime data collection B. The opioid epidemic C. gang violence

PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

Olmstead:

A. We need to modernize our systems and collaborate with our police forces in the county, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

B. Our Governor needs to sign legislation that is currently on his desk, which allows Commonwealth’s Attorneys to charge dealers with felony murder. We need this legislation passed so we can hold drug dealers accountable.

C. Evicting the gangs from our community will require collaboration from all our regional stakeholders and most importantly – moms. The gangs are targeting at-risk youth for new recruits and human trafficking, but studies show that our moms are the best at keeping their kids away from gangs. We must leverage all of our community resources to empower our moms and help them keep their children out of MS-13’s sights.

PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?

Olmstead: The Commonwealth’s Attorney is the Chief Prosecutor for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. They are the more than just an administrator and must take an active role in seeking justice on behalf of victims.

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

Olmstead: I am the only candidate seeking the Republican nomination who has experience as a prosecutor and who focuses exclusively on criminal law. As a former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, I have prosecuted thousands of cases including rape, robbery, drug crimes, gang violence, and capital murder.

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?

Olmstead: My chief concern is that people are aware of the firehouse primary this Saturday, May 4, from 10 am to 3 pm. You won’t be voting at your normal polling location, but at a special location based on your magisterial district.

PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?

Olmstead: I have not made any public mistakes, but have learned a great deal from my experience as a prosecutor and a criminal law attorney.

PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?

Olmstead: Because experience matters. I am the only candidate seeking the Republican nomination for Commonwealth’s Attorney who has experience as a prosecutor. I am also the only candidate who has tried a capital murder case. You deserve the benefit of my experience keeping our community safe and delivering justice on behalf of victims. There is no substitute for experience and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office is a challenging place to learn on the fly. Trust me.