Candidate Name:         Barry McHugh              

Candidate Mailing Address:     1400 Northwood Center Court, Suite C

                                                Coeur d’Alene, ID  83814

Email:   bmchugh@ejame.com   

Website:          N/A

Political Party (If partisan race):          Republican

Years of Residence in Jurisdiction:      41 years in Kootenai County, 47 years in Idaho

Describe your educational background (including degrees, certifications and life experiences):

I graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1976.  Four years later I graduated with a degree in accounting from Boise State University.  I worked in the accounting field for two years for Magnuson McHugh & Co. in Coeur d’Alene, during which time I became a Certified Public Accountant.  In the fall of 1982, I enrolled at the University of Idaho School of Law.  After graduating with a law degree in 1985, my wife Teresa and I moved to Washington, D.C.  During the year and a half we lived there, I worked for the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms and as an Assistant to the Comptroller at the Legal Services Corporation.  In March, 1987, we moved back to Coeur d’Alene and I began my career as a lawyer with the City of Coeur d’Alene.

Describe your community involvement (including civic groups, appointed/elected positions and dates):

St. Thomas Catholic Church Parish Council (late 1980s)

Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club (1996–present)

Board of Directors, Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club (2002-2005)

President, Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club (2004-2005)

Dalton Gardens Planning & Zoning Commission (2002-04)

Describe your employment history for the past 10 years including dates:

2002-Present Partner- Elsaesser, Jarzabek, Anderson, Marks, Elliott and McHugh

                                                                                    Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Emphasizing a general litigation practice with experience in the areas of bankruptcy, criminal law and family law      

1996-2000         AUSA/Coeur d’Alene Branch Manager    

    and                                                                           U.S. Attorney’s Office

2001-2002                                                                     District of Idaho

                                                                                    Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Opened a new branch office and ultimately supervised two attorneys and three support staff while continuing to maintain a full criminal case load         

2000-2001         Attorney Detailee
Professional  Responsibility Advisory Office - United States Department of Justice- Washington, D.C.

Provide ethics advice to Department of Justice attorneys nationwide

1991-1996         Assistant United States Attorney
                                                                           U.S. Attorney’s Office

                                                                                    District of Idaho

                                                                                    Boise, Idaho

Prosecutor for all federal offenses specializing in white collar and narcotics crimes

1990-1991         Deputy Attorney General

                        Racketeering Unit Criminal Division

                                                                                    State of Idaho 
                                                                               Attorney General’s Office

                                                                                    Boise, Idaho

First attorney hired in unit designed to assist in the investigation and prosecution of complex narcotics cases state-wide

What are your three priority issues and why:

As Prosecuting Attorney, I would continue the emphasis of aggressively prosecuting the manufacturing, distribution and use of illegal narcotics.  By working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute these crimes, we will be able to minimize the impact on the community of drug and drug-related crimes.  My experience as an Assistant United States Attorney provides the background to work effectively with federal law enforcement and the United States Attorney’s Office to maximize the prosecution of these crimes.  While emphasizing aggressive prosecution, I will also actively support drug courts that provide an alternative to deserving individuals, and will work with community groups to promote education, abstinence, and effective treatment programs.  

Protecting our most vulnerable citizens will be a priority as we strive to provide a safer Kootenai County.  By hiring, training and retaining exceptional prosecutors and support staff, I will be able to provide the victims of crimes an environment that minimizes the difficulties that can come from being a participant in the prosecution process.  My office would provide special attention to child victims and victims of crimes of violence.

Crimes against the elderly will continue to increase with our growing population.  These are frequently financial crimes, and the investigation and prosecution of these crimes requires well trained investigators and prosecutors.  My experience in prosecuting financial crimes with in state and federal court will assist me in developing a prosecution team that will aggressively pursue these cases.