10/21/2026
WORKING FOR YOU WEDNESDAY! 🚔⚖️
PUBLIC SAFETY: MORE THAN JUST A CAMPAIGN PROMISE
Nearly every candidate promises to make public safety a priority - without a plan. The real test is what happens after the election: Do those promises become a plan, a budget, and action?
After more than 30 years in law enforcement—including serving as a Chief of Police in two different states—I know that keeping our communities safe requires supporting the entire criminal justice system.
That includes a critical part that too often gets overlooked: the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Our deputies and police officers work hard to investigate crimes and arrest offenders. But an arrest is only one step. Prosecutors must have the staffing, experience, and resources to move cases forward, seek justice for victims, and hold offenders accountable.
When that part of the system is overwhelmed, cases can be delayed, victims wait longer for justice, and the work of our law enforcement officers cannot achieve its full impact.
That’s why, during my first term as your Clay County Commissioner, I’ve worked with my fellow commissioners and Prosecuting Attorney Zach Thompson to make these needs a funding priority.
HERE’S WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED:
âś… THREE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT PROSECUTORS, along with additional support staff, to help address growing caseloads and strengthen criminal prosecution.
✅ HIGHER PROSECUTOR SALARIES to help Clay County recruit and retain qualified, experienced attorneys. I’m continuing to work toward further pay improvements.
✅ NEARLY 50% MORE FUNDING for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office—from approximately $3.4 million in 2022 to $5.1 million in 2026. That’s an additional $1.7 million annually to support prosecution and the pursuit of justice.
âś… WORKED CLOSELY WITH PROSECUTING ATTORNEY ZACH THOMPSON to ensure his office has the staffing, funding, and resources needed to effectively prosecute criminal cases.
These investments complement our work to improve Sheriff’s deputy pay, staffing, training, and equipment. Effective public safety requires every part of the system to do its job—from the first call for help through investigation, arrest, and prosecution.
AND WE DID THIS WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.
In fact, during that same period, we reduced Clay County’s General Fund property tax levy by MORE THAN 40%.
Responsible budgeting has allowed us to strengthen essential services while reducing the county’s property tax levy. Those are commitments I take seriously.
I appreciate Prosecutor Thompson’s partnership and the work his attorneys and staff do every day. As a commissioner, my responsibility is to help provide the resources they need while respecting their independent role in prosecuting cases.
Public safety is a responsibility I’ve carried throughout my career—and one I continue to act on as your commissioner.
That’s what I mean when I say I’m WORKING FOR YOU!
Please vote Jay Johnson for County Commissioner - keep Clay County safe.
