CLARION CO., Pa. (EYT) — As the only candidate on the ballot after sweeping the Republican and the Democratic Parties’ nominations in the primary election, it’s no surprise that Drew Welsh will be Clarion County’s next District Attorney.
(Photo by Dave Cyphert of ProPoint Media Photography)
Unofficial results show Welsh received 7,896 votes.
He initially secured the Democratic nomination for Clarion County District Attorney with 295 write-in votes, while also taking the Republican nomination, beating attorney Maria Battista in the primary election.
Welsh, who currently serves as Assistant District Attorney in Clarion County, will officially take over as Clarion County District Attorney in January 2020.
A graduate of Western Michigan University, Welsh then earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
During his time as assistant district attorney, Welsh said he has prosecuted every type of criminal case and won guilty verdicts at jury trials for crimes such as a drive-by shooting, assaulting a pregnant woman and her unborn child, attempted murder, rape of a child, and many more.
Welsh’s experience goes beyond trials and includes serving as a juvenile prosecutor and spearheading the creation of a Multi-Disciplinary Investigative Team (MDIT) consisting of the District Attorney’s Office, CYS, police agencies, and other stakeholders. Its goal is to increase communication between agencies to ensure no child abuse case falls through the cracks.
Welsh has stated he plans to continue working with the Clarion Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), along with state and local law enforcement to fight this issue. Welsh also stated that he wants people who bring drugs into our community and continue to spread poison like heroin and methamphetamine to be held accountable.
Welsh believes the District Attorney’s office should focus on violent crime. He has taken the lead on prosecuting sexual offenses, child abuse, assaults, and domestic violence. Often the most difficult cases are sexual offenses, particularly against children. He has taken these cases to trial and obtained convictions.
