Following the discovery of Stuart Dunnings III's indiscretions and subsequent resignation, trust was lost in the prosecutor's office, and the public will need a cleansing to move forward from the mistakes.

O'Berry can bridge the gap between the public and the prosecutor's office, restoring faith in the office.

Her promise to increase communication between victims and the court in addition to her plan to develop a public defender’s office in Ingham County, which would ensure minorities and people of lower economic levels have legal counsel with proper resources to defend them in cases, displays her commitment.

The strength in three decades of continued experience and set plans for the office makes O'Berry an optimal candidate.

“There’s an enormous amount of discretion in a prosecutor, and it’s really critical to know what their values are, what their thought process is, how they go about making a determination, what factors they take into consideration,” current Ingham County prosecuting attorney Gretchen Whitmer said in a story from The State News.

For us, O'Berry's values, plans and experience are exemplified in Whitmer's statement, and these are things we considered while deciding on a candidate.

The State News endorses Billie Jo O’Berry and her blueprints to change the tone of the Ingham County prosecutor’s office. 

The State News Editorial Board is made up of the Editor-in-chief Jake Allen, Managing Editor Cameron Macko, Campus Editor Rachel Fradette, City Editor Josh Bender, Sports Editor Casey Harrison, Features Editor Connor Clark, Copy Chief Casey Holland, Diversity Representative Alexea Hankin and Staff Representative Stephen Olschanski.