Chandler hopes enthusiasm takes him to office.

Matt Chandler’s opponent says he’s too inexperienced to be the community’s top criminal prosecutor.

Chandler says that’s baloney.

The 28-year-old Clovis native says he’s ready to be the 9th Judicial District Attorney — now.

Chandler is bringing a full-court press at incumbent District Attorney Brett Carter that includes high volumes of enthusiasm and a slate of new ideas to an office that Chandler says is in need of a little pick-me-up.

He’s calling his movement a “bold, new vision.”

“After an eye-opening experience in the district attorney’s office, I decided that it was time for a change in the leadership of that office,” he said. “I want to bring a sense of motivation to fight crime, a sense of accountability to those committing crime and better communication between the citizen and law enforcement. I want to bring pro-active crime programs to the area. I want to stop crimes before they happen.”

On June 1, voters will go to the polls to decide on the next district attorney. No one is running on the Democrat ticket for the position.

The election is expected to be a close one, with both candidates working around the clock in an effort to get votes.

One reason there is so much buildup behind the race is the history between Carter and Chandler.

Earlier this year, Chandler, who had served as an assistant district attorney, was fired by his former boss. Carter said he fired Chandler because he declined to back from his decision to run for the top spot.

Carter has said that when he hired Chandler, the Eastern New Mexico University graduate told him he wasn’t interested in running for the district attorney post. Carter has said he regretted Chandler’s decision to run.

Throughout the campaign, Chandler has been eager to outdo his opponent.

At filing, Chandler turned in three times as many signatures as Carter. Carter maintained that just because someone signed a petition, doesn’t mean they are going to vote for that individual. Candidates needed 102 signatures to get on the ballot.

Chandler’s fast start to the election and enthusiasm about the position hasn’t faded after several weeks of tough campaigning.

“I believe the district attorney has to be someone who brings new ideas to fighting crime and being someone who has passion in their jobs,” Chandler said. “Literally, there are times as a prosecutor where you go from a midnight crime scene to an 8 a.m. jury trial. You need a lot of energy to be able to do all of those jobs of this position effectively. The DA has to set the tone in the office and that means being available at all times.”

Clovis Police Detective Kirk Roberts is among Chandler’s supporters.

“He has high energy and is able to think outside the box,” Roberts said. “He is willing to listen to new ideas and explore alternatives to some of the problems that we are facing.”

Roberts said the prosecutor’s office — just like numerous others across the country — is facing many of the same problems, including understaffing and a backlog of court cases.

But he said it’s important the voters choose someone who can deal with those issues.

“Each case needs to be given its full attention,” he said. “And that’s why in today’s age you have to be able to think differently. We need to start coming up with ways to solve the problems that we are facing.”

Chandler said he knows how to improve things.

He said he would bring to the office a repeat offender program. According to Chandler, statistics show that 75 percent of a community’s crimes are committed by a small percentage of people.

“The program allows you to target those criminals who are constantly committing crimes,” he said. “When you effectively prosecute the top 10 percent of those who commit crimes, a community’s crime rate can go down.”

Chandler also said he thinks the DA’s office needs to be more pro-active in dealing with crime.

One such program comes out of the Los Angles County District Attorney’s office and focuses on truancy issues.

“The program gets attorneys to teach children that we are accountable for our actions,” he said. “It teaches them that we have to give back in a positive way.”

Chandler also said a program called Meth Watch could go a long way in informing people about the dangers of that illegal drug.

Meth Watch is a federal program that assists DA offices in educating communities and merchants about the dangers that methamphetamine can have on towns.

“The program is proven to dramatically reduce meth labs in communities,” Chandler said.

Community members are supportive of bringing Chandler’s programs to the area, he said.

“When I present these programs, people are very much behind them,” he said. “Crime has increased significantly in our district and we are at a point where we have to stop being reactive.”

While Chandler is upbeat about bringing new programs and energy to the office, his opponent says the prosecutor needs more experience before taking over the job.

Chandler disagrees.

Chandler said he has experience in private practice, as well as handling thousands of criminal cases.

“I have handled every type of crime over the past two years,” he said. “I believe that I can be an effective district attorney.”

He said his background is different than Carter’s.

“The current DA was born and raised in Santa Fe and I was born and I was raised in this community. I grew up in a family of law enforcement and I understand how the community feels about law enforcement.”

He also said he would hear peoples’ concerns.

“The DA needs to have an open ear about the concerns in the community,” he said. “If you don’t know what the concerns are, you aren’t going to be doing much of a service to the people. I feel like hearing people out is a much-needed improvement in our district.”

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Chandler: DA office needs change

Who: Matt Chandler

Age: 28

Home: Clovis

Education: Eastern New Mexico University (undergraduate degree) University of Tulsa (law school).

Service: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, teacher of ministry classes at his church, fund-raising efforts at Eastern New Mexico University, Rotary Club, Fraternal Order of Police, coach of a local mock trial team and Boy Scouts troop mentor.

Endorsements: Fraternal Order of Police, more than 60 police officers, 500 people in a recent advertisement.

Experience: Tulsa County District Attorney’s office, practiced civil litigation in Albuquerque law office, former assistant district attorney of 9th Judicial District Attorney’s office.

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Get to know Chandler

How he spends a typical weekend: “I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My wife and I play co-ed church softball and frequently you can find me at a friend’s home. I like to spend a lot of time with my wife out at movies and dinner.”

Favorite thing about Clovis: “Being my hometown and community, I feel that I can go anywhere and feel welcome.”

Most memorable Clovis area sporting event: “Two years ago my wife and I were watching the Clovis Christian School basketball game and there was a foreign exchange student who had not had the opportunity to play. Several players on the team were volunteering to come out of the game so the exchange student could play before he was transferred back to his country. It gave me goose bumps.”