To the editor:

Neighbors in Auglaize County,

As a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, we usually find ourselves on opposite sides with different perspectives. However, when it comes to the upcoming election for judge of the Auglaize County Municipal Court, we are united in our support for Andrew Augsburger.

We both know Andrew Augsburger is the most qualified candidate to serve the citizens of Auglaize County. We’ve gotten to know his character over the past 20 years, and we know he possesses the skills, integrity, temperament, and ability to apply the facts to the law in an unbiased manner. These are the qualities a judge should possess, and we’ve seen Andrew display these qualities consistently.

It’s not only the two of us who have observed this. In his decades of service to our community, judges, attorneys, jurors, and our neighbors have seen Andrew work thousands of criminal and traffic cases, and handle dozens of jury trials. We know he has what it takes to keep serving Auglaize County, now as municipal court judge.

This experience matters. We were disappointed to hear Andrew’s opponent state, “The municipal court does not handle any felony cases.” We don’t need to look any further than Andrew’s work on dozens of felony cases before the municipal court to know his opponent’s claim is false. Being a judge is about trust. We need to trust someone’s character and experience. Not knowing the responsibilities of the office for which a person is running borders on disqualifying.

We both agree Andrew is the most qualified candidate and we represent opposite sides of a criminal case. We have no reservation about Andrew’s ability to weigh and judge both sides of a controversy, regardless of the endorsement of the other. If we believed otherwise neither of us could write this letter.

It is for all these reasons we are supporting Augsburger for Auglaize County. We ask you to do the same on Nov. 7.

Eric Wilson, Criminal Defense Attorney

Ed Pierce, Auglaize County Prosecuting Attorney

St. Marys