Dear Editor,

Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Mike Reed has earned his well-deserved retirement at the end of this year. Judge Reed has been an outstanding public servant. Two extremely strong and qualified candidates have put their names on the Republican ballot to succeed Judge Reed. One of those candidates is Matthew Buehler.

During my tenure as Kosciusko County prosecuting attorney, I was fortunate to convince Matt to leave his general practice attorney’s office and join the prosecutor’s office as a deputy prosecuting attorney. He has worked in all four of our county’s criminal courts and prosecuted complex cases in every aspect of criminal law. Matt is a passionate advocate for the victims of crimes and for the safety of our community. He is keenly intelligent, knowledgeable of the law, diligent, thoroughly prepared and relentless in his pursuit of justice. Matt is uniquely qualified to step into the role as Circuit Court judge.

With the Circuit Court being responsible to address a heavy felony caseload, especially drug crimes, Matt, having been the lead deputy prosecuting attorney in charge of the Circuit Court, has worked closely with Judge Reed in the court’s day-to-day operation. He has successfully prosecuted drug dealers and also recognized the necessity of helping those who sincerely desire rehabilitation to change their lives for the better.

But perhaps most importantly, Matthew Buehler has an acute sense of “judicial temperament,” which will serve the citizens of Kosciusko County well with Matthew Buehler as Circuit Court judge.

Dan Hampton