Saying he was "drafted" by people in the Colorado Springs community, former assistant 4th Judicial District attorney Dan May announced Friday he wants another shot at being the district attorney here.

"I didn't think I wanted to do this again, but a lot of people came to me and asked," May said during a news conference at Colorado College. "Quite frankly, I've been drafted to come here today and say I'm running for district attorney."

May has fewer than 14 days to collect 1,000 valid signatures from registered Republicans in El Paso and Teller counties. If he can get the required number by May 29, his name will appear on the Aug. 12 primary ballot with Dan Newsome, who is seeking re-election to his second term.

Newsome beat May in the 2004 Republican primary to grab the 4th Judicial District seat. No Democrat is running, so the winner of the primary will be unopposed in the general election.

May was backed Friday by two former high-ranking deputies of Newsome, Will Bain and David Webster, who will serve as co-chairmen for his campaign.

Though May mentioned issues with the office concerning high turnover, low morale and budgeting, he spent most of the time talking about his character and integrity.

May alluded to a KOAA hidden-camera investigation of Newsome that aired last week. It showed Newsome drinking about 130 ounces of beer in about five hours, then driving a county-owned vehicle.

Newsome denied driving while impaired, but he has since apologized for his actions.

A district attorney "must be above reproach and believe in the things he's holding others accountable for," May said. "In having tried vehicular homicide cases, I've seen the carnage a drunk driver can cause when they hit someone."

May also mentioned that it's harder for police and deputy district attorneys to do their jobs busting drunk drivers when the highest ranking law enforcement officer in the district appears to have drank too much alcohol and drove.

"I believe in accountability and forming public trust," May said. "I expect to be held accountable."

If the voters of the district want a public debate on the issue, he said, they'll sign his petition.

May worked as a prosecutor for the 4th Judicial District for 21 years before losing to Newsome. Though still a Colorado Springs resident, he is currently a chief deputy district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, which includes Douglas, Elbert, Lincoln and Arapahoe counties.

The 2004 race between May and Newsome was contentious.

Newsome returned campaign donations he received from children younger than 18 after being criticized by May's campaign. Most were children of defense attorneys.

Former District Attorney Jeanne Smith, who favored May as her successor, demoted Newsome mid-campaign from his position as supervisor of the office's juvenile prosecution unit. Newsome's supporters claimed the move was political.

May complained that Newsome supporters were stealing his campaign signs and requested a felony investigation by the El Paso County Sheriff's office.

May said Friday the 2004 campaign was challenging and especially hard on his family.

"This is not necessarily something I wanted to get into," May said.

He said the campaign will not interfere with his chief deputy job in the 18th District and that his boss, 18th Judicial District Attorney Carol Chambers, supports his decision to run.

Bain was one of the most seasoned trial attorneys to leave Newsome's office. He was the lead prosecutor in the high-profile murder trial last year of Timothy Nicholls, who lit his house on fire, killing his three children. A jury delivered three murder convictions in that case and Nicholls is serving three life sentences.

Saying he could "no longer tolerate" Newsome's administration, Bain left the office in September after a decade and is currently a Colorado Springs city attorney.

"My departure had absolutely nothing to do with money," said Bain, taking a shot at Newsome's claim that the turnover in his office is due to his inability to pay deputies enough. "The morale there was as low as it had ever been."

Newsome said Friday May has been a "vocal opponent" of his office for the past four years, "with the exception of a five-month period in 2005 when he requested to be able to serve under me after the election in order to obtain his El Paso County retirement."

Office morale is "much improved since 2004," and "our attrition rates compare very favorably to previous years," Newsome said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0110 or dennis.huspeni@gazette.com