The following is Watershed Voice’s candidate questionnaire for August’s St. Joseph County prosecuting attorney primary election. We will run all completed questionnaires in the order they’re received prior to Election Day.
David Marvin filled out our questionnaire. These are his answers.
Editor’s note: The formatting and content of this questionnaire are presented as they were submitted. Incumbent David Marvin is one of three candidates including challengers Deborah Davis and John McDonough.
Name: David A. Marvin
Age: 49
Address: Lockport Township
Party affiliation: Republican Party – current Chairman of the St. Joseph County GOP
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Family: This optional question was not answered.
Background/Bio:
Born and raised in Three Rivers. Graduated from Michigan State University Law School and attended a semester at the University of Hong Kong Law School. I was a corporate attorney and Director of Operations for a national consulting company for 13 years prior to moving into private law practice. I have a lot of experience managing employees and serving the customer – in this case, the constituents of St. Joseph County.
What inspired you to run for St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney?
Our law enforcement community needed a leader when I began as prosecutor in 2021. I made an immediate impact during a time when the office was severely compromised due to years of mismanagement and backlogged due to the COVID pandemic.
Have you previously held public office, or have you served in a public leadership role?
For 5 years, I served pro bono as an attorney-arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau of West Michigan in Grand Rapids.
If so, what is your experience, and what are some of your accomplishments?
I arbitrated cases involving contract and trade disputes between consumers and small businesses throughout West Michigan. I also arbitrated cases involving Michigan lemon law – those aggrieved by the automobile manufacturers.
How long have you lived in the area you are seeking to represent?
I moved away after high school, returning 20 years later and have been in St. Joseph County for the past 10 years.
In your opinion, what are the three most important issues to the area relative to the scope of your position, and why?
Integrity. The success of our legal system requires those in positions of public trust to serve with integrity. Truth and justice cannot be recognized without integrity.
Pursuit of Justice. A prosecutor must demonstrate that doing the right thing is more important than personal advancement, convenience and political pressure or social connections.
Leadership. The prosecutor is in an unique position to unify the county. All community leaders from business owners and educators to the law enforcement community and law-abiding tax payers need to be united for the common purpose of improving our local quality of life.
What measures will you pursue to address those issues?
I’ll continue to work with all of our county stakeholders to realize what our state and US Constitution has afforded us – the right and freedom to self-govern. Something that will disappear if it is not cultivated. I’ll always work hard to promote these principles and inspire this vision in others.
What would you say is your leadership style, and how will you utilize its strengths in your position?
I lead by example in everything I do. Very few people match my work ethic and loyalty to whatever cause I am committed – in this case, the public health, safety and welfare of St. Joseph County. I’ll continue to search for those worthy enough to join me in supporting our county and I will continue to eliminate those who are unfit for the work of justice.
How would you work to regain or maintain the public’s trust in the office of prosecuting attorney?
I’ve gained the public’s trust by showing up every day before 8:00, working the entire day, taking work home nights and weekends and performing my duties with heart.
Do you consider yourself a candidate with high personal integrity? If so, why?
A person is only as good as his reputation. I was raised to be honest and hard-working and I’ve learned to be fair and efficient, applying these principles in my job as your county prosecutor every day. I have high ethical standards for myself and anybody who works for me.
How would your administration as a prosecuting attorney differ from previous administrations?
St. Joseph County has been let down and embarrassed by several unfit to lead and serve over recent years and months. We cannot fix Lansing or Washington – and we will never lead the world – if we don’t first have a handle on what is happening in Centreville. I will continue to bring professionalism and efficiency to this office.
How will you know that you’re accurately representing your community?
I am humble enough to listen to the opinions and ideas of others and compassionate enough to realize their needs. From the law enforcement community to victims of crime and even the accused, prosecution is about pursuing what is right and just and sometimes it is not what one might first believe; it requires an earnest pursuit of justice.
Is there anything else your prospective constituents should know about you, your platform, your views, or your background?
We are all our best when individuals take responsibility and govern at the most basic levels: family, community and county. Self-government works only when citizens are informed and understand local government is where our freedom and liberty begins – and where it can very quicky end.
