Stanley Mortensen
Name: Stanley T. Mortensen
Position Running For: Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney
Website: My campaign website is currently in the planning and development stages; however, please visit my office Facebook page to view my office press releases and sentencing recommendations
Tell us a little about yourself and your family, how long you have lived in the area and your occupation.
I am a multigenerational Idahoan and can trace my roots to Idaho all the way back to 1890. I was not raised in Idaho, due to my father being employed by the federal government. However, I regularly visited my extended family in Idaho as a child while on vacations. I and my family moved to North Idaho in 1997 and we have lived here ever since – with the exception of a 5 year period of time between 2008-2013 while I was in law school and beginning my career as a lawyer immediately following law school.
I am married and my wife and I have eight children. Throughout the years, we have lived in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls and we currently live in Spirit Lake.
I am currently the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney. I was appointed to my position by the Kootenai County BOCC and took office on September 30, 2022. Prior to becoming the Prosecuting Attorney, I served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the office from 2014-2022 where I successfully prosecuted various major crimes and cases, to include: murder, vehicular manslaughter, bank robbery, and drug trafficking and delivery.
In between law school and joining the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, I worked as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in a different office and as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice. Prior to law school, I worked at the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office as a Detention Deputy and as a Patrol Deputy from 2000-2008.
As you can see, I have worked in law enforcement for over 23 years now with most of that time serving the citizens of Kootenai County, Idaho.
Please answer the following questions:
1. Do you have experience as an elected official and if so, what was your position, and how would you describe your voting record?
Yes. As I was appointed to be the current Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney, I am fulfilling the same duties as prosecutor as if I had been elected. I would describe my voting record as consistently conservative.
2. Please tell us about your activity as a Republican. Have you previously voted for candidates of other parties? If yes, explain.
I am a proud registered Republican and I vote depending on the issue, person, office, etc. I have previously voted for candidates of other parties, such as: independents.
3. What is the purpose of government?
I believe the purpose of government is to serve and protect the people and the people’s rights. The people created the government for this purpose and I do not believe this purpose has changed.
4. Describe why you are running for this particular office. What are your qualifications? What are your goals?
I am running for office because I care about the safety of our community and I believe I am the best person for this job. A major part of a prosecutor’s job is that of public safety. After a law enforcement officer makes an arrest, the job of protecting the community from criminals is not over. Unless there is a conviction, criminals are not sentenced. If a prosecutor and their office are not effective in court, there will not be a conviction; despite how strong the evidence is. For more than 10 years now, I have demonstrated the ability to successfully prosecute a variety of criminal cases and secure convictions in an effort to help protect the law abiding citizens of Kootenai County. My goal is to continue what I have been doing and to help keep my office staffed with dedicated and competent deputy prosecutors who will do the same.
5. Describe experiences where you are or have been engaged such as non-profit organizations, clubs, churches, boards, commissions, etc., where you have been of service to others.
Until a few years ago, I was involved with the Boy Scouts of America. I am active in my local church where I have had various callings; usually in Sunday school or in teaching the youth. I also regularly teach new officers at the police academy, experienced officers at their respective agencies, and citizens interested in obtaining their enhanced concealed weapons license/permit.
6. Do you describe yourself as fiscally conservative? Please, elaborate.
I absolutely consider myself to be fiscally conservative. Personally, I am the father of eight children and my wife is a stay-at-home mother; so I have to be! Professionally, my job and my office is funded through tax payer dollars. I consider tax payer dollars to be sacred and take the responsibility of spending them appropriately and without waste extremely seriously.
7. Do you consider yourself as socially conservative? Please elaborate.
Yes, I consider myself socially conservative. I believe in preserving traditional values and beliefs while at the same time respecting and honoring the Constitution.
8. Describe which party platform best aligns with your positions on public policy (Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Constitutional Party) and where do you disagree with that platform.
I believe the Republican Party best aligns with my positions on public policy. I have disagreed with the Republican Party as it relates to First Amendment issues.
9. Do you have any history of tax liens, criminal record, bankruptcy or conflict of interest that may affect your future decisions or desirability to be voted into office?
No.
10. Describe how you will make yourself available to your constituents and vote as their representative with FORTITUDE, adhering to the values and answers you have stated above.
I have always had an open door policy and intend to continue in this way. If someone shows up at my office, I make every effort to meet with them rather than sending them away with instructions to make an appointment. I am also willing to talk to and meet with people outside of business hours.