Starke County Prosecutor race heats up ahead of primary

STARKE COUNTY, Ind. -- In Starke County, incumbent Republican Leslie Baker is facing a primary challenge from Autumn Ferch.

ABC57 had a chance to spend a few minutes with Baker and Ferch Monday, and they've clearly laid out what their priorities are when it comes to this race and position.

Leslie Baker is currently in her second term as prosecutor.

She says she feels her second term was vastly different from her first term, partially due to a change at the county sheriff position, which she says sets the tone for law enforcement throughout the county.

Baker tells ABC57 if she gets reelected, one of her goals is to continue working to meet the goals she set at the beginning of her second term.

"The momentum we've built up, especially in the last two years with some of our trial victories, we plan to keep that going and build upon that," said Baker.

On the other side is Autumn Ferch.

She says she wants to improve the communication habits at all levels of the criminal justice system.

"Working and communicating with all agencies within the criminal justice system, when we are working together, we can produce better outcomes. I would like to improve the victim advocate program to ensure that all victims are communicated with, and supported throughout the entire process," said Ferch.