BENTON COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY · REPUBLICAN
Experienced. Trusted. Proven Tough on Crime.
Julie Long is a veteran prosecutor running for Benton County Prosecuting Attorney. With 28 years of experience as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Benton and Franklin Counties, she has led over 100 jury trials, including first-degree murder and felony assaults, and argued before the Washington Supreme Court.
Having served as Chief Deputy for over 15 years, Julie is ready to bring unmatched courtroom experience and proven leadership back to the office.
28 years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
100+ jury trials as lead counsel
Chief Deputy Prosecutor · 15+ years
Argued before the WA Supreme Court
WHY I’M RUNNING
Answering the call after twenty-eight years of practical service
For 28 years, I have served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Benton and Franklin Counties, successfully prosecuting thousands of felony cases, including aggravated first‑degree
WHY I’M RUNNING
28 Years of Success in the Courtroom
For 28 years, Julie has served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Benton and Franklin Counties. Julie has handled thousands of felony cases and WON over 100 jury trials, often after turning down plea bargains. This includes Aggravated Murder, First Degree Murder, Child Sex Crimes, Drug Trafficking, and Assault and Kidnapping cases with Firearm Enhancements. Unlike the incumbent, she has a reputation for being willing to go to trial and win, so she avoids lenient plea bargains. This is why Julie has the overwhelming support of law enforcement officers.
I am running for Benton County Prosecuting Attorney to bring that experience, and the courtroom record that comes with it, to the office’s leadership. A True Prosecutor – Not a Politician.
EXPERIENCE
Twenty-eight years prosecuting the cases that demand the most from a courtroom
Julie has won over 100 jury trials as lead counsel. The convictions she has secured have carried life sentences, 50-year terms, and 34-year terms for repeat offenders. She has argued before the Washington Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court.
She served as Chief Deputy in the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for more than thirteen years before stepping into the Chief Deputy role at Franklin County in 2025. She earned her JD from Loyola University School of Law in 1998, clerked for the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1997, and has been a member of the Washington State Bar since 1998.
EXPERIENCE
Twenty-eight years prosecuting the cases that demand the most from a courtroom
Julie has won over 100 jury trials as lead counsel. The convictions she has secured have carried life sentences, 50-year terms, and 34-year terms for repeat offenders. She has argued before the Washington Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court.
She served as Chief Deputy in the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for more than thirteen years before stepping into the Chief Deputy role at Franklin County in 2025. She earned her JD from Loyola New Orleans School of Law in 1998, clerked for the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1997, and has been a member of the Washington State Bar since 1998.
A RECORD OF CONVICTIONS
A selection of cases Julie has prosecuted to conviction
- State v. Grant Scantling — Aggravated Murder in the First Degree · Life
- State v. Richard Jacobson — Murder in the First Degree, Domestic Violence with aggravating factors · Life
- State v. Kyle Johnson-Clark — Murder in the First Degree · 407 months
- State v. John Young — Murder in the First Degree with a firearm enhancement · 372 months
- State v. Lawrence Groce — Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the Second Degree · 240 months
- State v. Michael Shemesh — Multiple counts of Rape of a Child in the First Degree and Child Molestation (aggravated — ongoing pattern of abuse, violation of a position of trust) · 50 years
- State v. Jesus Martinez-Lopez — Six counts of Assault in the First Degree with firearm enhancements · 62 years
- State v. Eduardo Miranda-Salazar — Two counts of Assault in the First Degree with firearm enhancements · 34 years
- State v. Lyzette Vargas — Residential Burglary and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver · 164 months
- State v. Steven Canha — Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree with firearm enhancements and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree · 115 months
- State v. Russell Harrington — Kidnapping in the First Degree with a deadly weapon enhancement · 111 months
- State v. Randy Godinez — Robbery in the First Degree · 108 months
- State v. Anthony Munoz — Delivery of a controlled substance near a school bus stop, Possession with Intent to Deliver, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Witness Tampering · 99 months
ENDORSEMENTS
Backed by the people closest to the justice system
Julie Long is endorsed by community leaders and respected members of law enforcement who recognize her commitment to public safety, integrity, and justice.
Many currently serving officers across these agencies support Julie but cannot publicly endorse due to internal restrictions. Retired officers from the following agencies have signed on publicly:
- Kennewick Police Department
- Richland Police Department
- Pasco Police Department
- West Richland Police Department
- Benton County Sheriff's Office
- Franklin County Sheriff's Office
- Washington State Patrol
- U.S. Marshal Service
ENDORSEMENTS
Julie is backed by the people closest to the justice system
Backed by the people who want to restore justice to our system,f including active and retired law enforcement from the Kennewick, Richland, Pasco and West Richland Police Departments, the Benton and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Julie is also supported by victims of crime and their families, as well as victim advocates who have seen Julie’s record of achieving justice for victims. She is also backed by those who feel they have been forgotten and not seen justice during the incumbent’s last four years.
PRIORITIES
Three commitments for the office
Clear the backlog. Aggressively prosecute
Restore working relationships with local law enforcement
The office can only do its work when local police, sheriffs, and state patrol bring strong cases forward and trust that those cases will be prosecuted. Julie has spent 28 years building those relationships across the region’s agencies. That foundation of trust and collaboration is what she will bring to the office.
Give victims back their voice
Julie has spent 28 years communicating with victims through every stage of a case by keeping them informed, accounting for their concerns in plea negotiations, and supporting the Drug, Mental Health, and Veteran’s Therapeutic Courts when those courts apply. That practice remains the standard. Accountability remains
PRIORITIES
Julie will:
Clear the backlog
Aggressively Prosecute
Restore working relationships with local law enforcement
The office can only do its work when local police, sheriffs, and state patrol bring strong cases forward and trust that those cases will be prosecuted. Julie has spent 28 years building those relationships across the region’s agencies. That foundation of trust and collaboration is what she will bring to the office.
Give victims back their voice
Julie has spent 28 years communicating with victims through every stage of a case by keeping them informed, accounting for their concerns in plea negotiations, and supporting the Drug, Mental Health, and Veteran’s Therapeutic Courts when those courts apply. That practice remains the standard. Accountability remains
Support Drug Court, Veteran's Court, the Recovery Center and other Therapeutic Courts for the Right Cases.
SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN
Help put Julie’s record, and a proven prosecutor, in front of Benton County voters
Campaign contributions fund yard signs, door hangers, mailers, and the field operation that gets Julie’s record in front of Benton County voters. Volunteers carry the same work face-to-face. Both move the campaign forward.