STRAIGHT TALK FROM FREDA

During the 2006 campaign, I lost the Democratic nomination but learned a great deal about our county, its people and our resolve to set things right. I am approaching this campaign differently – based on the lessons I learned two years ago. I believe the people of Durham want an open and honest District Attorney. They want a prosecutor they know they can trust. They want a prosecutor they can access when they need it. They want a prosecutor who will be fair, honest, tough and concerned. They want a prosecutor who will listen to them. They want a prosecutor who will treat all people equally.

I'm running for District Attorney because I believe I have the experience to get the job done. I'm running because I care about this office and this county and believe we need to restore the public's confidence and trust in our District Attorney's office.

Some people have criticized me because I practice law with Clayton, Myrick McClanahan & Coulter, a prominent versatile law firm. Let me say up front that I have a professional relationship with Mr. Jerry Clayton and the other partners in that law firm. However, if I am elected District Attorney of Durham County, no lawyer or law firm will be treated differently based on previous relationships. The District Attorney works for the people of Durham County, and they will be my top priority. If elected, there will be no special treatment, no special deals for any attorney or law firm in Durham County. Every attorney and every law firm will be treated with respect, dignity and concern. My office will be open and accessible to the people of Durham County, the victims of crime, the news media, Courthouse employees, criminal defendants and their attorneys. There will be equal access and justice under the rule of law. As District Attorney, I will work to be the people's humble and respected servant.

CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY

During the 2006 campaign, critics accused me of being too tough, too rigid. Some said I wasn't willing to work with other people to make sure we accomplished the goals of fighting crime in our county. I have listened to those concerns and taken them to heart. In this campaign, and if I am elected, I will work diligently to make sure the concern I have for this community shows every single day.

I am a compassionate person. I believe in helping others. I believe in leaving a better community for my two daughters and the children of the next generation. Yes, I admit, I have a tough persona in the courtroom. As a female prosecutor, I learned 16 years ago that you have to be tough to show people that you mean business and that you aren't afraid to stand up and fight for the victims of crime.

Very few people in Durham would argue my lack of toughness in the courtroom. But I realize the office of District Attorney extends well beyond the bricks and mortar of the Courthouse. That's why I am pledging to work with other elected officials, neighborhood leaders, ministers, teachers, business owners and law enforcement agencies to pull the community together in our effort to fight crime.

You can't just be a tough courtroom lawyer to be District Attorney – that's a lesson I learned two years ago. You have my pledge to be a prosecutor who is more worried about our next generation than the next election. As District Attorney I will work with the community. I will emphasize fairness, and I will work to make integrity a cornerstone of public service – restoring the people's faith and confidence in the Durham District Attorney's office.