Paul Halvorsen, Candidate For Merrimack County Attorney

Paul Halvorsen

Age (as of Election Day)

62

Position Sought

Merrimack County Attorney

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

Married

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Juris Doctor from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law), master’s degree in Forensic Science from The George Washington University, master’s degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University, B.S. in Criminal Justice from Minot State College (now Minot State University).

Occupation

Attorney. I am a career prosecutor with over 17 years prosecuting for the City of Concord. I have practiced only criminal law for 20 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Twice elected to the Concord City Council.

Campaign website

www.attorneyhalvorsen.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running to be Merrimack County Attorney to keep the residents of Merrimack County safe, hold perpetrators of crime accountable, and restore trust in the leadership of the County Attorney’s office. Victims, police, and the community at large have lost trust in the current leadership of the Merrimack County Attorney’s office. The issues surrounding the loss of trust have been documented in news reports for well over a year. I want the people of Merrimack County to be able to count on their County Attorney to put in place and lead a team of dedicated prosecutors, Victim Witness Advocates and support staff who work to keep Merrimack County safe.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There is no single pressing issue – there are many pressing issues facing the office of the Merrimack County Attorney. Opioid and methamphetamine use still festers within the County and is accompanied by the resulting sale of illegal drugs. COVID-19 closures and slowdowns may have driven reported domestic violence further into the shadows thereby delaying justice for victims. Trials have been delayed impacting victims and witnesses. I will continue to work with the law enforcement professionals to hold those who sell drugs accountable and to use appropriate rehabilitation efforts for those users who desire treatment. Discussion and coordination with victims, witnesses, the police, and the courts will be necessary on the issue of cases delayed due to COVID scheduling.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The most critical difference is leadership experience and ability. In following the news since the last election readers of the Concord Patch and Concord Monitor have read about the many difficulties facing the current County Attorney. There has been an exodus of attorneys and staff, allegations of a hostile work environment, the dismantling of a team that centered their efforts on prosecuting sex offenders, allegations of victim blaming, and the hiring of an outside investigator to examine the leadership. I urge you to go on-line and research this yourself. Read the many news articles as well as the pending lawsuit against the current County Attorney. By any objective measure, no matter your political affiliation, these reports indicate clear leadership shortfalls. In stark comparison to the current office holder I have 40 years of public service experience and practical leadership experience. I led and directed the administrative support for an organization of 180 people. I have experience in public policy and budgeting at the municipal level as a twice elected Concord City Councilor. I have written long-term and short-term organizational plans at senior military organizational levels. Leadership experience and ability is critical because you, the voters, are not electing a staff attorney, you are electing a chief executive to lead an organization.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The current County Attorney has failed in leadership. Please see my comments concerning the critical differences between me and my opponent and my comments as to why I seek to be your next Merrimack County Attorney. Those answers highlight how the incumbent has failed the community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I believe that the County Attorney needs to be proactive in setting the tone of prosecution within the office and in communication outside the office. Meeting with the County Chiefs of Police is a must and has been neglected for too long. To foster open and frank discussions either I or a senior attorney will attend, in person or by video conference, meetings of the County Chiefs that are open to us. We must also welcome discussions with representatives of organizations that support victims of crime. Those meetings must work toward reestablishing the trust that seems to have been lost by recent leadership failures.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My education, in addition to earning my Juris Doctor, includes a graduate degree in Forensic Science, a graduate degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. I have taught financial management and personnel management at the undergraduate level as well as criminal justice at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. I conducted Forensic Science research at the U.S. Secret Service Forensic Laboratory in Washington, D.C., attended Forensic Science training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA, and authored original research in the Forensic Sciences.
During my over 21 years in the Air Force I commanded an administration unit responsible for 180 people, frequently directed the flight operations of 19 aircraft and was involved in management of a multimillion-dollar budget. Working with DEA and Customs teams to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, I completed over 130 drug interdiction missions in the Caribbean. I also directed hundreds of reconnaissance missions in Central and South America collecting intelligence against some of the most violent narcotraffickers in this hemisphere.
As an attorney practicing only criminal law for 20 years, I’ve appeared in Superior Courts in at least three counties and in at least eight Circuit Courts in four counties. I’ve also participated in scores of administrative hearings. My trials have included felonies and misdemeanors and I’ve initiated various appeals to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

The best advice I ever received is: "Don’t compromise your reputation." That advice has served me well in over 40 years of public service. I often tell people that when you die there is only one thing you take to your grave and leave behind at the same time: Your reputation.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Before becoming an attorney, I completed an Air Force career that spanned over two decades. I started active duty 5 days after graduating from high school and rose through the enlisted and officer ranks as a military policeman, explosive ordnance disposal specialist and as both a special operations and rescue helicopter pilot. As a pilot and Air Operations Officer I commanded and directed drug interdiction missions supporting DEA and Customs officials throughout the Caribbean, and Central and South America. As a field grade officer, I was the third senior officer in one of the largest helicopter units in the Air Force where I led the administrative support for 180 personnel and frequently directed the flight operations of 19 aircraft. After my retirement from the Air Force and while attending law school I was twice elected to the Concord City Council.
I am currently endorsed by Governor Sununu, the Concord Police Supervisor's Association, the Bow Police Association, the New Hampshire Trooper's Association, several current and former Chiefs of Police, and a retired New Hampshire Circuit Court Judge.

I hold membership in the American Academy of Forensic Science and the National District Attorney’s Association.

I am a life member of Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, the Air Force Association, and the Military Officers Association of America.