It feels as if an earthquake rocked our presidential race since the release of the video tape of Donald Trump bragging about committing sexual assault. His comments certainly made me feel sick to my stomach as a father, husband, brother and son – even as an American, knowing this man can become our president.

On a very basic human level, Trump’s words about what he has done to women – what he has gotten away with because he is famous – are revolting and contemptible. Several prominent Republicans, including John McCain, John Kasich and New Hampshire’s own Kelly Ayotte, have announced that they will no longer vote for Donald Trump.

But there is one elected office that is critical for fighting against those who commit, or brag about committing, sexual assault – the Hillsborough county attorney. The county attorney is the chief law enforcement official for the 400,000 people of our county and the top prosecutor of felonies and misdemeanor appeals.

No single elected official has a greater responsibility and a more important duty to stand against those who sexually assault women than our county attorney. That is one of the most important reasons I chose to run for the office.

It should come as no surprise that I have called on my opponent, incumbent Hillsborough County Attorney Dennis Hogan, to withdraw his endorsement of Donald Trump for president. He has done no such thing. In fact, just days before the release of the Trump video tape, Hogan boasted from a campaign rally in Bedford on social media about being a Trump "VIP."

I believe that Donald Trump had proven himself unfit for the presidency due to his previous comments demeaning the disabled, Mexicans, a POW, a Gold Star family and women several times over.

None of those vile comments, though, demonstrated whether Mr. Hogan was capable of being an effective county attorney. Hogan’s own weak record on combatting the opioid epidemic, supporting law enforcement and driving out several talented, experienced prosecutors already revealed how ineffective he has been at doing his job.

Dennis Hogan is not and will not be the advocate we deserve as county attorney. Hogan’s total silence since Trump’s comments about committing sexual assault put politics ahead of principle.

The county attorney must be our most vocal, passionate advocate against sexual assault – victims of sexual assault deserve no less. Under no circumstances should our top prosecutor ever support a man who brags about committing sexual assault.

Dennis Hogan’s silence on this matter is deafening, but also speaks volumes about his values and judgement as Hillsborough County’s top prosecutor. Donald Trump bragged about committing sexual assault and Dennis Hogan continues to support him.

Whatever one’s political party, it is now more clear than ever that we need a new, more principled and courageous county attorney who will decisively stand up to sexist thugs like Trump and always stand with victims of sexual assault.

Garth Corriveau is the Democratic nominee for Hillsborough county attorney.

It feels as if an earthquake rocked our presidential race since the release of the video tape of Donald Trump bragging about committing sexual assault. His comments certainly made me feel sick to my stomach as a father, husband, brother and son – even as an American, knowing this man can become our president.

On a very basic human level, Trump’s words about what he has done to women – what he has gotten away with because he is famous – are revolting and contemptible. Several prominent Republicans, including John McCain, John Kasich and New Hampshire’s own Kelly Ayotte, have announced that they will no longer vote for Donald Trump.

But there is one elected office that is critical for fighting against those who commit, or brag about committing, sexual assault – the Hillsborough county attorney. The county attorney is the chief law enforcement official for the 400,000 people of our county and the top prosecutor of felonies and misdemeanor appeals.

No single elected official has a greater responsibility and a more important duty to stand against those who sexually assault women than our county attorney. That is one of the most important reasons I chose to run for the office.

It should come as no surprise that I have called on my opponent, incumbent Hillsborough County Attorney Dennis Hogan, to withdraw his endorsement of Donald Trump for president. He has done no such thing. In fact, just days before the release of the Trump video tape, Hogan boasted from a campaign rally in Bedford on social media about being a Trump "VIP."

I believe that Donald Trump had proven himself unfit for the presidency due to his previous comments demeaning the disabled, Mexicans, a POW, a Gold Star family and women several times over.

None of those vile comments, though, demonstrated whether Mr. Hogan was capable of being an effective county attorney. Hogan’s own weak record on combatting the opioid epidemic, supporting law enforcement and driving out several talented, experienced prosecutors already revealed how ineffective he has been at doing his job.

Dennis Hogan is not and will not be the advocate we deserve as county attorney. Hogan’s total silence since Trump’s comments about committing sexual assault put politics ahead of principle.

The county attorney must be our most vocal, passionate advocate against sexual assault – victims of sexual assault deserve no less. Under no circumstances should our top prosecutor ever support a man who brags about committing sexual assault.

Dennis Hogan’s silence on this matter is deafening, but also speaks volumes about his values and judgement as Hillsborough County’s top prosecutor. Donald Trump bragged about committing sexual assault and Dennis Hogan continues to support him.

Whatever one’s political party, it is now more clear than ever that we need a new, more principled and courageous county attorney who will decisively stand up to sexist thugs like Trump and always stand with victims of sexual assault.

Garth Corriveau is the Democratic nominee for Hillsborough county attorney.

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