A former prosecutor who currently holds a criminal defense practice captured the Republican Party endorsement for district attorney recently.

The Chautauqua County Republican Committee voted to endorse Jason L. Schmidt, 49, for the district attorney position, which is up for election in November.

Schmidt relocated from New York City to the Fredonia area in 2003. He spent five years as a part-time felony prosecutor in the north county for the District Attorney’s Office. Schmidt maintained his private practice and turned his focus to criminal defense work after leaving the District Attorney’s Office. Schmidt’s criminal defense and litigation practice is based in Fredonia.

“I’m very proud to accept the Republican Party’s endorsement,” he said. “During my years at the District Attorney’s Office, I conducted more felony jury trials than any other prosecutor in the office, including the district attorney himself, while still maintaining a private practice. I also represented the district attorney in multiple criminal appeals in which I successfully argued before New York’s Appellate Division.”

Since leaving the District Attorney’s Office, Schmidt said he’s built a successful criminal defense practice, handling violent and nonviolent cases including murder cases in Chautauqua, Erie and Cattaraugus counties. Schmidt said his passion has always remained working with police and on behalf of crime victims.

Between his private practice and work in the District Attorney’s Office, Schmidt said he’s conducted hundreds of trials and argued a multitude of appeals, including multiple arguments before the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

“With this background, I firmly believe that no other candidate for the district attorney position possesses my qualifications,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to talk to the residents in Chautauqua County and explain to them how and why my experience makes me the best candidate for the position.”

Schmidt enters the race against Patrick Swanson, acting district attorney who received the Democratic endorsement last month.