Mailers for the two men vying to replace outgoing Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker echo the strengths the candidates have touted on the campaign trail.

For Democratic challenger Breean Beggs, that means a reference to his work representing the family of slain janitor Otto Zehm in civil proceedings against the city of Spokane and Karl Thompson, the police officer found guilty of violating Zehm's civil rights.

On the back of the mailer, right next to a personalized message thanking the recipient for their vote, is the quote, "I fought for Otto Zehm and I will fight for You!"

Beggs has touted his work in the Zehm case on the campaign trail, as well as pointing to his involvement in the creation of the Blueprint for Reform, a document calling for changes throughout the criminal justice in Spokane that was crafted with input from Beggs and the organization he helped found, Smart Justice.

Larry Haskell, a deputy prosecutor running as a Republican, includes no personal message but touts his experience in the office. Haskell has questioned whether Beggs' reputation for suing city and county law enforcement will hinder his ability to head the prosecutor's office.

The race, which has already shattered fundraising totals in most recent campaigns for the office, eclipsed the $200,000 mark this week. Beggs reports more than $133,000 in contributions and recently reported television ad purchases totaling more than $7,000 on local stations.

Haskell has collected more than $75,000, according to his most recent reports to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. He has bought $4,000 worth of radio ads, according to the reports.

What do you think of Beggs' message linking himself with the Zehm case in his mailers? And do you share Haskell's concerns that Beggs will have difficulty working with law enforcement he's sued in the past?

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