One thing is certain: After Tuesday's state primary election, there will be a "Pat" running for Mower County Attorney.

That's because there are two "Pats" in the state primary election: the incumbent Patrick A. Oman and a challenger, Patrick W. Flanagan and two of the three primary candidates will advance to the November general election.

Also running is another challenger, Jonathan Olson, the chief deputy prosecutor in the Mower County Attorney's office

Olson and Flanagan are assistant Mower County attorneys, working for Oman, the man whose job they covet.

Here in alphabetical order are profiles of the candidates. Their answers to the Austin Daily Herald survey have been edited for space limitations:

Patrick W. Flanagan, an assistant Mower County attorney, listed communications and management skills as strengths. "I believe that my communications skills play a large role in my management style. With proper communication I am able to comprehend and address all sides of an issue," he said.

Why are you seeking this office?

"I believe I can facilitate a needed change in the County Attorney's office.

"The County Attorney's office helps to ensure that this is a safe community to live in and that crime does not affect ancillary matters such as property values.

"As a member of this community, I would like to know that the

office is properly managed and running efficiently enough that each area is receiving the proper attention.

What changes will you make if elected?

"Officers and victims would be notified of all plea bargains" and "officers, victims and witnesses will be prepared for trial by the attorney assigned the case."

Also, cases would be assigned to an individual attorney, he would meet regularly with each attorney to discuss pending cases and all the attorneys would be briefed on all the litigation involving the county attorney.

What is your reaction to the state's Crime Victims Ombudsman Office Report that was critical of the Mower County Attorney's office?

Flanagan was not employed in the Mower County Attorney's office, when the cases took place nor when the report was investigated and issued. He said he has read the report and believes communication, cooperation and respect should be shared by the county attorney's office and law enforcement.

"When a concern or complaint is brought, it needs to be addressed immediately," he said.

As case filings increase, what resources does the Mower County Attorney need to respond to the growing challenges facing the criminal justice system?

Flanagan listed laptop computers for all attorneys and human resources, such as another full-time attorney, as well as office staff.

How would you improve communications with law enforcement?

Flanagan pointed to the endorsement from the Austin police officers union, plus the assistance on his campaign committee from the Austin police chief, Mower County sheriff, Austin police detectives and Grand Meadow police chief as proof he currently enjoys good relations as an attorney with law enforcement personnel.

"Our office will cooperate with law enforcement in providing them with the legal tools our office can provide in order to solve an existing case or prevent crimes from occurring," he said.

Final comments?

"I truly hope that all the concerns raised in this election will make a better public service office, no matter who wins," he said.

Jonathan Olson, the current Mower County Attorney's chief deputy prosecutor, listed several strengths, including a "devotion to pubic service" as well as an understanding of law practiced in the Mower County Attorney's office.

He also listed courtroom experience, his willingness to work with all agencies, appellate work and "bringing the victim's voice into the courtroom."

Why are you seeking this office?

Olson said people asked him to run for office. "I truly believe that I have a new vision for the office," he said. "My experience, along with the results I have seen in my own caseload, gives me hope in turning the tide of increased crime in Mower County."

What changes will you make if elected?

Olson listed two: Solid prosecution and "communication, communication, communication."

Of the former, Olson said solid prosecution is a basic mainstay.

Of the latter, he said communication with "each other" in the Mower County Attorney's office as well as agencies and victims

are essential.

What is your reaction to the state's Crime Victims Ombudsman Office Report that was critical of the Mower County Attorney's office?"

"We must work better with the Crime Victims Resource Center. I have personally worked with the staff and found their insights and dedication highly valuable," said Olson, who wants to grow the relationship he enjoys with the CVRC.

Olson helped author the grant application for funding for a crime victims advocate, but it was rejected. "With state funding being squeezed, we must make the most of the resources already at our disposal," he said.

As case filings increase, what resources does the county attorney need to respond to the growing challenges facing the criminal justice system?

According to Olson, the addition of a paralegal and an office specialist will help the Mower County Attorney's office. "A paralegal would be an invaluable resource in the management of cases within the office," he said. He also praised the current two office specialists employed in the office, but said an additional staffer who would contribute data processing input would also help.

"Two of the resources are not within the control of the county Attorney," Olson said. "A judge and a jail."

How would you improve communications with law enforcement?

"Solid prosecution is the best relation builder between law enforcement and the County Attorney's office," he said. "Officers work hard at finding evidence and building a case.

"Ask yourself this question: Why would I work to build something if I knew it won't be handled properly down the line?"

Final comments?

"This article cannot possibly contain all the ideas and visions I have for the Mower County Attorney's office," Olson said. "I hope that people will continue to bring questions to me.

"From the initial act of charging out a case to the last act of sentencing, I am ready and willing to give a new approach to the Mower County Attorney's office and to the people of Mower County."

Patrick A. Oman listed as his strengths with his belief that public service is honorable. He has been an attorney for 18 years and a Mower County Attorney (or assistant) for 14 years. His main strength is his ability to handle high-profile jury cases. "After all," he said, "we can't vindicate the rights of our victims without the ability to make juries understand the evidence and agree to convict."

What changes will you make if elected?

"I will continue efforts to have a full-time crime victims/witness coordinator be made part of the office," he said.

Also, Oman said he would continue efforts to place greater emphasizes on the more serious cases and work to create a "new avenue of communications with law enforcement agencies.

"Despite the claims of communications problems, the old adage of the 'road going both ways' should always be remembered."

What is your reaction to the state's Crime Victims Ombudsman Office Report that was critical of the Mower County Attorney's office?"

"It must be remembered that the report in question examined cases in 1997 and 1998 and expressed criticism for only a fraction of one percent of the over 70,000 cases overseen by the Mower County Attorney's office since I took office in 1990. The recommendations in the report have been implemented."

As case filings increase, what resources does the county attorney need to respond to the growing challenges facing the criminal justice system?

When the city of Austin took over prosecution of misdemeanor and traffic cases from the Mower County Attorney's office, it freed up more time for the office to direct in other areas, according to Oman. "Became of this, I was able to do consecutive jury trials and obtain convictions this spring for a man who had assaulted several police officers."

Oman had no recommendation for adding addition human or other resourses to the office.

How would you improve communications with law enforcement?

"True communication in the criminal justice system results from an understanding of what each component's responsibilities are."

Oman believes the County Attorney's office needs a "complete review and sharing" with

law enforcement agencies on what the office's actual duties and responsibilities are.

Final comments?

Oman said the election campaign has overlooked the other significant legal duties of the Mower County Attorney's office. "To fail to pay attention to any of these issues is to shortchange what the scope of the County Attorney's office duties are and to ultimately short-change the legal representation that all of the citizens of Mower County should expect in many areas other than the criminal justice system."

Editor's Note: The profiles of local candidates in the Tuesday, Sept. 10, state primary election continues in Friday's edition with Mower County Sheriff's candidates.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com