Former DA faces private attorney in Imperial County judicial election runoff

A judical race in rural Imperial County, one of eight to be decided in the state next week, features a former head of the district attorney’s office with 40 years’ experience facing an attorney who has been a prosecutor, deputy county counsel and deputy public defender.

Tom Storey, who spent four of his 6 1/2 years at the DA’s office as its elected head, said he has more experience overall than his opponent.

Monica Lepe-Negrete, an El Centro-based attorney with 15 years of experience, spent three years each in the public defender’s, county counsel’s and district attorney’s offices. She said her humble background has informed her views of the law. Her parents were field workers.

“I understand what it is like to not have a voice. I understand unfairness and I want to make sure I provide everyone with fairness and access to our courts,” said Negrete, who noted that Storey had not been a public defender.

Both candidates now privately practice criminal defense and family law.

Storey, who worked as a sheriff’s sergeant, prosecutor, and as a private criminal and civil attorney, commented, “Just about everything the court has done, I have done.”

He has been in private practice since 1986, handling everything from wills to capital murder cases. He added that he’s tried civil, family, juvenile and probate cases.

Negrete edged out Storey 40.51 percent to 37.87 percent in the three-way June primary, according to final vote tallies. Both candidates have spent roughly the same amount of money, with Negrete spending nearly $69,000 and Storey spending just over $67,000.

Negrete has endorsements from the Imperial County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Imperial County Supervisor Ray Castillo, and Superior Court Judge Diane Altamirano, who is vacating the office Negrete and Storey are seeking.

Storey has endorsements from the the Calexico and El Centro Police Departments, SEIU Local 221, and Judges Brooks Anderholt and William Lendhardt.

“It has always been my goal to move one more step. I love justice and I want to make sure everyone is entitled to it and gets a fair shake,” said Storey.