The Republican candidates for Elkhart County Prosecutor participated in a debate at the IU South Bend Elkhart Center Wednesday evening.

The debate was sponsored by the American Democracy Project of IU South Bend and the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area and ABC57.

Vicki Becker

Visit Vicki Becker's campaign website

Professional:

Vicki Elaine Becker was elected by Caucus to Elkhart County Prosecutor in 2016 and was sworn-in in January 2017. She was the Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney of Elkhart County for 14 years prior to her election.

Becker began her career in criminal prosecution as an intern of the Marion County (Indianapolis) Prosecutor's Office where she later worked in Forfeitures and the Municipal Division after becoming an attorney.  Upon joining the Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office in December of 1998, she managed a minor felony caseload in Elkhart Superior Court IV.  In January of 2000, Mrs. Becker was assigned to the Elkhart Circuit Court where she prosecuted major felony offenders.  Upon her appointment to Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, she assumed administrative responsibility for the operation of the Trial Division of the Prosecutor's Office and supervision of the Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys.  Mrs. Becker has personally presented in excess of 100 felony cases to juries, including more than 50 murder cases. In addition, she has prosecuted a variety of other major felony cases including drug trafficking, robbery, child molesting, aggravated personal crimes and property crimes.  

She is also an active member of the Elkhart County Child Protection Team, the Elkhart County Child Fatality Review Board and the Community Corrections Advisory Board.

Becker is a graduate of the University of Indianapolis and Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis.

Personal:

Married with two children.

She enjoys hiking, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, drawing, painting, attending church with her family and supporting her children in their sports and 4-H activities.  She is a board member and the Treasurer of Stone's Trace Historical Society, the Secretary of the Fairfield Food Pantry, Inc., and an active member of the Horizon Education Alliance.

Martin (Marty) McCloskey

Visit Marty McCloskey's campaign website

McCloskey is a Veteran of the United States Air Force where he served honorably and received numerous commendations.

He's also a former police officer and former Elkhart County Commissioner.

McCloskey is an Honor Graduate of the United States Air Force BMTA, a graduate of the Community College of the Air Force; Indiana University of South Bend, the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and Western Michigan University Cooley Law School (formerly known as: Thomas M. Cooley Law School).

Memberships/Associations:

• American Bar Association
• Indiana State Bar Association
• St. Joseph County Bar
• Elkhart City Bar, Goshen Bar
• Indiana Trial Lawyers Association
• Christian Trial Lawyers Association
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Republican National Lawyers Association, and the Federalist Society

McCloskey is also a Domestic Relations (Family Law) Mediator in the State of Indiana having obtained his Certificate of Achievement in May 2008.

McCloskey is a Life and Millennium Member of the NRA and Life Member of the RNC.