State attorney Russell will not seek re-election

Steve Russell told The News-Press editorial board Thursday he will not seek re-election in 2018, ending what will be 14 years as state attorney for Florida's 20th Judicial Circuit.

Russell said he will support the expected candidacy of Amira Fox, chief assistant state attorney for 20th Judicial Circuit.

Russell, 68, has served as state attorney since 2003, succeeding Joe D'Alessandro. Russell has more than 40 years of prosecution experience, including 36 as a supervisor and administrator.  Except for opposition in his first election for state attorney in 2002, Russell has run unopposed in three other elections in the partisan, five-county race.

"I think it is time to go,” Russell said. “We have built up a good core of experienced support staff. We are in a good spot. I support chief assistant Amira Fox. She has experience.”

Russell, who has prosecuted more than 2,000 cases, lists among his office’s accomplishments: reducing the number of investigators, relying more on the investigative work of area law enforcement agencies; supporting mental health and drug courts efforts, diversion programs, smarter ways to address criminal activity, specifically through the economic crimes unit; abuse of seniors and human trafficking issues. He also said the five county area has the lowest crime rate of the 20 judicial circuits, including violent crime.

“I have tried to strengthen (programs) and set a tone,” Russell said. “We have to continue to address high end crime – murder, robbery and rape. For the bulk of it, most people (criminals) come back and are on the street."

Russell said he has tried to stay involved and meet regularly with police chiefs and sheriffs from various law enforcement agencies to work out various issues, including Fort Myers police chief Derrick Diggs over allegations of police department corruption that came from the recently-released Freeh Report. Russell said he agreed “by and large” with many of the findings in the report. “Part of the solution is training the homicide unit. We do meet on cases – unsolved and pending cases. We have issues we have to work on there.

"There certainly has been distrust that has been built up in the community since I have been here … We are working with the police chief to put tougher vignettes to start discussions, so when they talk to groups they can deal with common misconceptions and frustrations of the community.”

Russell said he will spend his remaining time streamlining the public records process, continue with the transition of his office, build training opportunities for various law enforcement agencies and navigate through changes made by the Florida Legislature to the Stand Your Ground law.

“We have a lot of dedicated people who really give up a lot doing what they do for public safety,” Russell said.