David Friess announces State's Attorney candidacy

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Republican David Friess has announced his candidacy for the office of Randolph County State's Attorney. Although new to politics, Friess has the character, background and commitment for the job and is anxious to serve the citizens of Randolph County. He brings a distinguished service record, employment in the public sector and a variety of legal experience to the position.

After graduating from Chester High School in 1986, Friess enlisted in the Air Force, where he advanced from jet mechanic to flight engineer on the C-141 and became a veteran of Desert Storm. After his stint in the Air Force, Friess went to work for Delta Airlines as an aircraft mechanic. When he was laid off, Friess used the opportunity to enroll in college full time and earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Mercer University and was recognized as Outstanding Criminal Justice Student in 1996. An internship with the local public defender, who at the time was involved in a death penalty trial that involved a young man accused of kidnapping and murder, convinced Friess to become an attorney.

While at John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Friess clerked for a firm that specialized in aviation law. Then after receiving his law degree, he clerked for an insurance defense firm that specialized in construction accidents and condemnation procedures, continuing to work in Chicago for another 3 years. When he and his wife decided to return to Southern Illinois, Friess first worked in asbestos defense for a firm in Edwardsville and obtained his Missouri license. He has now worked for a firm in Belleville for 6 years, where he again handles insurance defense cases.

Friess and his wife, the former Miki Sternberg, and their two children, Thomas (6) and Jeda (4), live in Red Bud. They attend the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Rockwood, Illinois. Friess also helps coach Thomas' T-ball and football and assists with the Cub Scouts.