Four vie for the spot of district attorney

The candidates pledge to curb illegal drug activity.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County District Attorney Matthew T. Mangino's decision to step outside that office and campaign for a county common pleas court judge seat has left the contest for the county's top prosecutor open.
Three Democrats and one Republican are looking to fill the position.
Democrat James R. Papa, 29, is an assistant district attorney.
Angelo A. Papa Jr., 54, a Democrat, has a private practice and has served on the New Castle Area school board. The Papas are cousins.
John J. Bongivengo, 34, also a Democrat, is a full-time assistant public defender. Previously he worked as an assistant district attorney, prosecuting domestic violence cases.
George Freed, 54, a private law practitioner, is running unopposed on the Republican ballot, and will face the winner of Tuesday's primary in November's general election.
What the candidates say
Each candidate has indicated if he were elected to the four-year term, he would work to make the county safer and curb illegal drug activity.
James R. Papa, who earned his law degree at Case Western Reserve University, said he would like to implement an open door policy at the district attorney's office, providing on-call services on a 24-hour basis.
Angelo A. Papa, who received his law degree from Duquesne University School of Law, said he would use his determination and work ethic to be the best district attorney Lawrence County has ever had.
A graduate of Ohio Northern School of Law, Bongivengo said he would work to expand the county drug task force and provide anti-drug education programs for area youth.
Freed, who obtained his juris doctor from the Akron School of Law, said he would prosecute cases fairly, professionally and in a timely manner.