One candidate for judge in the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas accused the other of making politically motivated decisions in her position as the county's chief prosecutor.

Attorney Ernest P. DeHaas III said he believes that District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon has made decisions about who to prosecute or not prosecute with political motives in mind.

Vernon, who has been the county's chief prosecutor for 10 years, denied the claim.

"It would be stupid for an elected official to make a decision based on politics," Vernon said. "That would never influence me."

But DeHaas pressed, telling voters they will need to answer a question before casting their ballot on Nov. 3.

"Do they want a hard-working, non-political judge for eight years, or a person who has shown a tendency of making political decision and not doing the whole job she was elected to do for 16 years?" DeHaas asked.

The two recently came before the Herald-Standard's editorial board. They are competing in the first common pleas court race for judge in eight years. The election was necessary because President Judge Conrad B. Capuzzi will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70, and must step down.

Both candidates cross-filed in the primary. Vernon, 53, took the Democratic nomination and DeHaas, 62, won the Republican ticket.

On the Democratic side, Vernon received 11,864 votes to DeHaas' 6,972 votes. On the Republican ticket, DeHaas received 2,747 votes to Vernon's 2,419.

DeHaas has practiced law for 36 years, and said he started out trying criminal cases, but has spent the bulk of his career handling a multitude of civil court cases.

Vernon has practiced law for nearly 30 years, and said she was the first woman trial lawyer and the first woman district attorney in the county.

Both touted their years of experience practicing law, but Vernon said that DeHaas lacks experience in criminal law, while she has extensive experience in both types of law.

Vernon has been in the prosecutor's office for 13 years, she said, and spent a decade as district attorney.

"I know of no criminal case Mr. DeHaas has had, and I've had over 19,000 cases prosecuted," she said.

Vernon said she felt it was "unfathomable" that a judge would not have any experience in death penalty cases, and asked voters to consider that the district attorney's office is like a "training ground" for judges because prosecutors become well versed in criminal proceedings.

While many of the county's judges have come from the district attorney's office, DeHaas said some of the best have not. He cited former judge Fred C. Adams, whom DeHaas called "one of the experienced and responsible judges" to serve on the county bench.

"I am prepared on day one to handle any type of matters," he said.

DeHaas indicated he believes that judge needs to possess the qualities of fairness, impartiality and a good work ethic. Between him and Vernon, DeHaas said there are "clear differences."

Vernon, he said, is a career politician whose elections to the district attorneys office could have left her politically beholden to people.

"I owe no favors," DeHaas said.

Vernon also said that the differences are clear.

She said voters know her because she has been a public servant for more than a decade, and noted that if elected, she would be ready to take the bench because she has both criminal and civil experience under her belt.

Vernon said she would be honored to be elected so that she could continue her public service.

Vernon also accused DeHaas of "slinging mud" during the campaign

DeHaas said that any criticisms of Vernon are not personal, and simply speak toward his view of her qualifications to serve on the bench.

He said he found it "surprising and disturbing" that she did not file briefs in cases that went before the state Superior and Supreme courts.

"That is a significant fact. It's not a personal criticism, it's not slinging mud. It's the record of the DA," he said. "She may do that if she is elected to the Court of Common Pleas."

On behalf of the eight lawyers who work in the district attorney's office, Vernon said she was "very insulted" at how DeHaas presented the matter.

She indicated that briefs are not mandatory in cases, and said that the office never has lost an appeal for failure to file a brief.

"To say half a truth is no truth at all," Vernon said, noting that the record in all appeals has always been preserved.