Bloglander

Local defense attorney Chris Bugbee has thrown his hat in the ring to become Spokane County's next prosecutor.

Already a contested Republican primary race, Bugbee, 42, will take on the current prosecutor, Steve Tucker, and his most prominent GOP opponent to date, David Stevens. Stevens, a deputy prosecutor, was placed on leave by Tucker after Stevens announced his candidacy.

In a statement, Bugbee takes on Tucker.

"It is obvious that Mr. Tucker’s chronic failure to lead his office has demoralized his own deputy prosecutors, damaged his office’s relationships and reputation with the courts and the law enforcement agencies his office serves, and as a result adversely affected his office’s ability to prosecute criminals in Spokane County," he said.

Tucker's office made news yesterday when Spokane County commissioners agreed to pay for an outside review of his office, due to the number of criminal suspects who have gotten free because the office has failed to charge them within 72 hours.

Frank Malone, a Democrat, is also in the race for prosecutor.