Oliver announces bid for prosecutor

Corey Noles photos Russ Oliver is kicking off his campaign for Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney. [Click to enlarge]

Statesman Staff Writer

A Bloomfield attorney has announced a bid for the Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney seat that is up for election next year.

Russell Oliver, husband of Jennifer and father of Emma, is a Puxico High School graduate who has a law practice in Bloomfield.

Oliver attended college at Southeast Missouri State University where he received a Bachelor in Science degree in Political Science. He went on to attend the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he obtained his law degree.

"I am running because I feel our county needs effective representation in the prosecutor's office," Oliver said in an interview at his office. "Every day that we continue on with ineffective representation our children are less safe."

Oliver, who will be running as a Republican against 27-year incumbent Briney Welborn, says this is the job he's been working toward his entire life.

"I'm young, energetic, aggressive and I will put my heart and soul into protecting the citizens of Stoddard County," he said. "Our law enforcement officers do an excellent job, but the best police work in the world won't keep those wishing us harm off the streets with an ineffective prosecuting attorney's office."

Oliver also noted that in recent weeks a pair of groups have popped up on the popular social-networking site Facebook supporting him as a candidate. The two groups are comprised of about 300 people.

With the Nov. 2, 2010 election still almost a year away, he said he felt it was time to get the ball rolling.

Filing opens for the election on July 13, 2010 and closes on Aug. 17, 2010.