Ottawa lawyer Karen K. (Metzke) Donnelly threw her hat in the ring Monday, announcing she is running as a Republican for La Salle County state's attorney in the 2016 election.
"I offer my candidacy today to give you, the voters of La Salle County, what you haven't had for many years — a choice," Donnelly said at a press conference Monday in front of the La Salle County Governmental Complex.
The 51-year-old Donnelly is originally from Long Point, about 12 miles southwest of Streator, and graduated from Woodland High School. She now lives in Tonica and is with the Ottawa firm of Mueller Anderson & Associates.
Donnelly worked as an office manager, bookkeeper and paralegal for almost 20 years, then attended law school at Northern Illinois University, interning at the La Salle County State's Attorney's Office. She was licensed to practice law in Illinois on Nov. 6. Donnelly has been married to her husband, Richard, an engineer, for 27 years. They have a son and daughter.
La Salle County State's Attorney Brian Towne, a Democrat, said last week he is running for re-election. The 47-year-old Towne became a lawyer in 1992, joining the state's attorney's office that year and becoming state's attorney in 2006. He has run unopposed in prior general elections for state's attorney, but lost a primary in 2000.
In response to the observation she may lack experience to be top prosecutor, Donnelly said experience is not that important, but rather she possessed the legal knowledge crucial for the job. Donnelly also said former State's Attorney Gary Peterlin did not have much experience before he was elected to the post. Peterlin became a lawyer in 1978 and was state's attorney 1980-88.
At any rate, Donnelly noted that as an intern with the state's attorney's office, she prosecuted and won a DUI case, which fellow prosecutors told her could not be won. This was the only case she prosecuted, but as a defense attorney she has handled a number of criminal cases.
Donnelly accused Towne of lacking "transparency and accountability" and said she will "renew relations" with police agencies and make the county a safer place. Donnelly further claimed Towne, after almost a decade in office, "conducts himself as if the office is an entitlement."
Donnelly said she looks forward to a "respectful campaign."
On April 30, Donnelly filed court action against Towne, involving a dispute over documents in the case of a man she was helping to defend against a marijuana charge. She sought documents, as well as a possible fine against Towne, but has not pursued the matter.
Towne's comments
La Salle County State's Attorney Brian Towne responds to the candidacy of Karen (Metzke) Donnelly:
"No one understands better than I, the aspiration to be the state's attorney of La Salle County. It's a career I dreamed of dating back to my high school days. It is a job I do proudly. Keeping our community safe and seeking justice for victims of crime is what I love. My administration has reduced crime rates in La Salle County, but there is always more work to do. With that in mind, I will run a vigorous, professional campaign, stressing my background, experience and the many successes my staff and I have enjoyed."