Diane Kay-Hougaboom

ESCANABA — Diane Kay-Hougaboom — a Michigan-native, longtime attorney and Escanaba resident — has thrown her hat in the ring for the position of county prosecutor. She announced Friday she will be on the Republican ballot in the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 2, for the seat opened by the resignation of Prosecutor Brett Gardner earlier this week.

Kay-Hougaboom currently serves as a public defender in Delta County, representing adults charged with misdemeanors and felonies, adults and children involved in the foster system, juveniles charged with delinquency, and people subject to guardianship petitions.

“I believe we should ‘go hard’ on the right cases — violent crimes, criminal sexual conduct, and crimes against children. We need attorneys who are not afraid to try the tough cases and prioritize the victims, especially in violent crimes,” she said.

According to a press release issued by Kay-Hougaboom’s campaign Friday, Kay-Hougaboom has achieved not guilty verdicts in all criminal cases she has defended against the Delta County Prosecutor’s office, except one, when the defendant was found guilty on a lesser charge.

“For years, Delta County has been trying to punish its way out of a drug problem, and it’s not working. Meth continues to be a serious issue here. It destroys lives, home and families every year,” said Kay-Hougaboom, adding current policies prohibit people charged with possession of methamphetamine from participating in court-ordered sobriety programs.

“Today, that creates a situation where those suffering from addiction are convicted, go to jail or prison, and end up in the same cycle of addiction after they’re released,” she added.

Kay-Hougaboom is a 2005 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She began her legal career in a court appointed special advocate program in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Kay-Hougaboom also served as the zoning administrator for the Village of Pinckney, Mich., and later opened a legal practice in downtown Munising in September of 2020 with her husband and fellow attorney William Hougaboom. The couple now lives in Escanaba with their rescue dogs, Moose and Sue.