Editor’s note: We’ll be publishing candidate profiles through Saturday in advance of the general election on Tuesday.

Mike Mancuso, a Democrat, and Alex Marek, a Republican, are running for district attorney in Monroe County.

The current district attorney, E. David Christine Jr., is not seeking re-election. The salary is $211,495, which is set by the state.

Mike Mancuso

Town: Chestnuthill Township

Background: Mike Mancuso is the current First Assistant District Attorney, where he prosecutes criminals who target the elderly, children, and domestic abusers. He is married to Colleen and they have four children. A graduate of Pocono Mountain High School, he earned his law degree from Dickinson School of Law. He is the co-author of “Etna: A Murder Out of Time,” which details a Monroe County cold case murder from 1880.

What are your top priorities if elected: As the only candidate who has tried criminal cases and helps run the DA’s Office, making sure that we have adequate resources to meet our challenging duties is a top priority. This includes the vigorous prosecution of violent offenders to protect victims, the implementation and expansion of several crime-fighting and prevention initiatives designed to further protect our community, especially our most vulnerable, like our children and older residents.

What can you do to cut down on repeat offenders coming through the courts: I have already initiated several measures that are favorably impacting recidivism. As the next district attorney, I will be spearheading a re-entry program with the probation office, counselors, employers, financial advisers, religious support groups, mental health experts, addiction experts, and others so county offenders can become productive law abiding members of society.

Mental health issues are prevalent in the courts. What can you do to get defendants help they need while ensuring justice is served: I have hands-on experience dealing with criminal offenders suffering from mental health issues. I have developed a great rapport with well respected psychiatrists, psychologists, and other professionals to help guide me as a prosecutor in assessing defendants whose actions were influenced by mental health problems. I know how to pull together resources so these offenders are receiving meaningful mental health treatment. I have been instrumental in seeking grant money for that effort.

As district attorney, how would you crack down on drug deliveries into our communities: I am the only candidate who has experience in convicting drug dealers. I have created crime-fighting programs that are effective in convicting those who deal deadly drugs in our community. For example, as part of the Monroe County Drug Task Force, I created an intensive way for going after those who cause fatal drug overdoses. The effort has led to more convictions for drug dealers than ever before in Monroe County history. This in turn has saved many lives.

In what cases would you accept pleas to lesser charges: In my long career as a proven criminal prosecutor, I have found it most helpful to always keep your eye on ensuring that victims of crime are given maximum protection, restitution, and closure. If this can be done by allowing a plea to lesser charges, then it is consistent with the prosecutor’s mandate to pursue justice. I will continue that approach and ensure that the procedures in place effectuate that mandate.

Alex Marek

Town: Saylorsburg

Background: I have almost 25 years of law enforcement and legal practice experience. I have served as a police officer, U.S. Federal Air Marshal, and federal criminal investigator. I worked as a private attorney and on-call detective for Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. I am currently a Northampton County Deputy District Attorney in charge of the Appellate Unit with cases before Pennsylvania and Federal courts along with prosecuting cases in narcotics trafficking, white-collar crimes, and violent crimes.

What are your top priorities if elected: My top priority as district attorney is to protect the residents of Monroe County. In setting out to achieve that goal I will establish a full-time Drug Task Force to combat narcotics trafficking in Monroe County, establish a Drug Court as an additional means to potentially provide those with drug addictions an alternative to incarceration and criminal records, and revamp the ARD program to remove disparity in its application.

What can you do to cut down on repeat offenders coming through the courts: Each case should be addressed individually based upon the specific facts of that case. By utilizing appropriate supervision and treatments programs to address the potential underlying causes of criminal acts (i.e. drug addiction, mental health issues, etc.) the defendant can hopefully receive and use the necessary resources to prevent a relapse back into the same circumstances that created the motivation to commit the crime, thus reducing recidivism.

Mental health issues are prevalent in the courts. What can you do to get defendants the help they need while ensuring justice is served: Not to be repetitious, but the previous answer is fitting here as well. By addressing each case individually based on the unique facts of the case a tailored plea and sentence to include the potential of court ordered mental health treatment and its compliance can be beneficial in addressing the needs of the defendant while ensuring the residents of Monroe are still being protected and justice is served.

As district attorney how would you crack down on drug deliveries into our communities: One of the first changes I would seek to make and is also one of my priorities is to establish a full-time Drug Task Force incorporating both county detectives and officers from the area departments. This change would immediately improve the ability of the Drug Task Force by not only increasing the intelligence and information sharing on narcotics investigations but provide the necessary manpower.

In what cases would you accept pleas to lesser charges: If offers to lesser charges might be extended to defendants it would be primarily in nonviolent property crimes. However, once again any offer in any case would take into consideration the specific facts of the case, the defendant’s history of committing similar offenses in fashioning an appropriate and proportionate sentence. Penalties for crimes against children, domestic violence, crimes involving firearms, and other serious violent crimes will be strictly enforced.