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Dear
Friends & Supporters: Please read Don's letter below: |
| Dear
Friends & Supporters: When we started this campaign in April, 2007, it was with a passionate commitment to, and belief in, our constitutional system of justice. With your help, we reached out to voters in four counties to share our message about the importance of the public defender's office and its role in protecting our constitutional rights in the courtroom. Prior to this campaign, few realized the serious issues that needed to be addressed and the impact of those issues on the indigent accused, taxpayers and the constitution itself. This campaign has truly been a privilege and an honor. I've met so many fine people in all corners of the circuit - from Fellsmere to Sebastian and Vero Beach; from Okeechobee to Indiantown to Palm City and Stuart; to Port St. Lucie and Ft. Pierce. Although we didn't reach our goal of a change in leadership at the public defender's office, we were very successful in bringing attention to the issue of first appearance and our constitutional responsibility to provide lawyers to represent the accused from day one. I send my congratulations to Diamond Litty and trust she will heed the citizens' message, reflected by all those who voted for me, about the need for positive change in the approach the Public Defender's office takes in the representation of its clients. As for me, I will continue in private practice in the Ft. Pierce area and look forward to remaining active in local judicial & civic issues. My sincerest thanks to all of you, Don Chinquina |
Breaking News!
(CLICK HERE for easy print article- pdf)
Palm Beach Post Endorses Chinquina:
"...because he has a better approach to running the office, The Post endorses Mr. Chinquina". (10/30/08)
* READ "CHINQUINA FOR TAXPAYERS"
Read what 3 Letters to the Editor of Ft. Pierce Tribune & Stuart News have to say about LittyNew Link! TV and RADIO ADs
Hello,
I'm Don Chinquina and I'm running to become your Public Defender in the 19th Judicial Circuit.
For the first time in 16 years, the voters in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River & Okeechobee Counties willhave a choice in electing their Public Defender. Since 1992, the incumbent has been returned to office unopposed without an election.
As an Assistant Public Defender, I became increasingly concerned with the policies of the current administration. In my role as a supervising attorney in the Felony Division, I tried to work from within the office to bring problem issues to the attention of the Public Defender and effectuate solutions. When my efforts fell on deaf ears, I grew to understand what famed attorney Clarence Darrow meant when he said so many years ago,
"Contested elections are the only way to hold elected officials accountable to the people".
I resigned my position to force a change that would bring justice, client advocacy and efficiency back to the Public Defender's Office. I'm asking for your help.
A vote for Don Chinquina is a vote for change.
Chinquina is New Leadership ... with a Difference.
Chinquina is for change ... for Justice.
Chinquina knows ... the Issues of the 19th Circuit.
Fort Pierce, Florida 34950