Monterey County Superior Judge, Seat 3: Steve Somers

Party/Affiliation: Non-partisan race

Current Job: Deputy district attorney, Monterey County District Attorney’s Office

Family: Wife Tracy and two daughters, Kendal and Alexandra

Why I’m running for office:

I have dedicated my life to serving the People of California as a criminal prosecutor. I chose a career in public service working to protect our community and I would be honored to continue to serve this community as a member of the Superior Court.

My career as a Deputy District Attorney has well prepared me to face the responsibilities of being a judge. For the last nine years, I have served on the District Attorney’s Major Felony Trial Team – an extremely difficult assignment as we are dealing with the most heinous of crimes. As a judge I will be ready to handle any case that comes into my courtroom.

I strongly believe that everyone who walks into court should be treated with the same dignity and respect, whether they are a victim, witness, juror, or the accused. I have seen firsthand the pain and heartache that violent crime inflicts upon our community, giving me a deep understanding of the needs of Monterey County. We need strong judges who will protect the citizens of this county, evenly apply the laws, and assure everyone a fair hearing before an open-minded judge.

I am honored by all of the endorsements that I have received, but especially by Judge Russell Scott who has held this seat for the past 20 years. Additionally, I have been endorsed by almost all sectors of public safety, including police officers, deputy sheriffs, peace officers, probation and prosecutors associations.

I respectfully ask for your vote on June 3rd.

Qualifications:

I have been a criminal prosecutor for over 16 years, and have experience in over a hundred trials. Since 2002, my assignments have included domestic violence, general felonies and major felonies, and I have successfully tried the toughest of cases including murder, gang violence, fraud, kidnapping, torture, robbery, and major drug cases. In 2012, I was honored to receive the Award of Excellence from the Monterey County Peace Officers Association for this work.

I know that the court system works best when the people within that system do their jobs diligently and with honor. I have become known for my commitment to these principles, and if elected as a Superior Court Judge I will serve in this new capacity with the same commitment.

I have seen firsthand how crime, especially violent crimes, negatively impact the entire community. Prior to serving in the DA’s office, I worked as an EMT in Los Angeles. Driving that ambulance and witnessing what violent crime inflicts upon a community was one of the formative experiences that helped me choose a career in public service as a criminal prosecutor.

I attended the University of California at Santa Barbara where I graduated with a double major in political science and environmental studies. I graduated cum laude from Vermont Law School where I also served as the notes editor for the Vermont Law Review.

My wife Tracey (an investigator for the District Attorney’s office and an adjunct instructor at Hartnell Community College) and I are raising two young daughters, Kendal and Alexandra.