Risberg outdoes Wasley in DA raceby Shane Benjamin
Herald Staff Writer
In the race for district attorney, where campaigns were defined by an alternative-justice approach versus traditional law-and-order, Todd Risberg soundly defeated Russell Wasley.
Risberg, a Durango attorney, won 61 percent of the 24,179 votes cast in La Plata County, compared with his Republican challenger Wasley's 39 percent. In San Juan County, Risberg won 70 percent of the votes. In Archuleta County, Wasley had a slight lead with 792 votes to Risberg's 714 votes. The Archuleta County totals were as of 10:25 p.m. and represented unofficial early votes only.
"It's a great day for this county, this district and this country," Risberg said. "It's bigger than me."
The 6th Judicial District Attorney earns about $90,000 and manages a $1.8 million budget and 25 employees. Beginning next year, the minimum pay for district attorneys statewide will increase to $100,000, and the salary will increase by $10,000 each year for three years thereafter.
Risberg, 44, plans to rely on programs that rehabilitate alcohol and drug offenders rather than insist on jail or prison sentences. He also plans to use restorative-justice programs that allow offenders and victims to resolve their conflicts in a mediated session rather than in a courtroom.
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