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DA candidates to debate in Durango

Democrats contest 6th Judicial District

Sixth Judicial District Attorney candidates Christian Champagne and Ben Lammons have been invited to face off in a debate at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Durango Public Library.

The candidates, both Democrats, confirmed their attendance to The Durango Herald.

Champagne, appointed to assistant district attorney in 2009, vowed when he announced his candidacy to crack down on sexual assault and improve efficiency of operations in the DA’s office by going digital.

Lammons, the Southern Ute tribal prosecutor, announced in December that he would challenge Champagne in the primary. With 25 years of experience, Lammons has prosecuted cases in Colorado and New Mexico, including federal, state and tribal courts. He touts his ability to work in small, medium and large district attorney offices.

“I’m not sure Christian Champagne has sufficiently cracked down on sex assault cases, and he’s also handled cases that turned into mistrials, so I’m not sure he has the experience to be district attorney,” Lammons said Thursday. “I’ll look forward to the debate.”

Each candidate will be allowed opening and closing statements and alternate first responses to eight prepared questions.

The public will be able to ask questions at the end of the debate.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Champagne said. “It’s good to let the voters know where the candidates stand on the issues.”

La Plata County Democrats organized the event, which will be moderated by former prosecutor and La Plata County Democrat Bonnie Schmidt and possibly another, organizers said.

The 6th Judicial District has jurisdiction over Archuleta, La Plata and San Juan counties.

No Republicans have announced election bids for the DA office.

jpace@durangoherald.com



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