Candidate Profile: Doug Gruenke
Name: Doug Gruenke
Age: 42
Hometown: New Baden
Occupation: Attorney
Position seeking: Clinton County State’s Attorney
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Website or social media page: facebook.com/DougGruenkeforSA
Why are you running and why should people vote for you? For nearly 20 years, I have represented cities, villages, townships, districts and counties, many of which are located in Clinton County. In that time, I have prosecuted over 17,000 cases for numerous cities. I have advised and represented those communities in virtually every area of government operation, including finance, economic development, grants, contracts, elections, zoning, law enforcement operations, union negotiations, and much more. In addition to my experience, I have spent nearly my entire life in Clinton County and my family and I have invested our time and resources in the County through serving and volunteering in numerous capacities. This service been rewarding for us. It is now time for me to take my experience in prosecuting and representing local governments and put it to work for the residents of the entire County.
What would your goals be, if elected? First, I believe the criminal justice system should serve as a deterrent. This starts with getting cases to trial or obtaining guilty pleas quickly. It also means bringing charges that make people think twice about committing crimes in our County. Second, I will have an open and productive partnership with law enforcement. Law Enforcement will know the status of cases and they will play an integral part in the decisions to combat the uptick in crime.
What issues are most pressing for your constituency? One of the most pressing issues is the infiltration of drugs into our community. The drug problem is become systemic and, in many cases, the root cause of other crimes that are committed. It often leads to robberies, vehicle break-ins, domestic issues, and much more. The State’s Attorney will need to take a stand against the drug trade in the County.