Helping crime victims drives candidate

Ashley Green stepped before about 50 people June 28 on the south lawn of the courthouse to announce her Republican candidacy for prosecutor.

The timing was right, she said, not only because she’s spent four years as chief deputy prosecutor for Mike Shipman, who decided not to run in 2026, but an announcement before the summer and fall festival and parade season provides an opportunity to meet those who don’t know her.

“It was important to me to announce it early and start talking to people who don’t know me about who I am and what I stand for,” Green said following her speech in front of family, friends, coworkers, law enforcement members and other Republican leaders. Green said that anyone who doesn’t know her should talk to those who do.

“I think my reputation and my work speaks for itself, and that’s what matters,” said Green, Northeastern High School graduate who interned with the prosecutor’s office while an Indiana University East student, then was hired in 2016. 

Curt Leverton, who retired from Richmond Police Department as the captain overseeing investigations, said Green is involved in the community through the Republican party, community corrections advisory board, bar association, JACY House and HELP the Animals. He said she’s shown wisdom, compassion and commitment.

Green said she didn’t think about eventually being prosecutor when she was first hired and was just happy doing criminal work and advocating for victims. Quickly she realized that was the work she’s meant to do. Shipman made her his chief deputy in 2021 replacing Judge April Drake when Drake was appointed to the Circuit Court bench.

“I’m really passionate about the victim work — just making that connection when somebody is at such a vulnerable place and earning their trust to get them through the process and sticking with it to the end,” Green said. “That people connection is really what keeps me going.”

Shipman has enabled Green to help with budgeting and personnel matters to learn the ins and outs of day-to-day operations.

“She has the legal skills to do the job, and the personal skills, as well,” Shipman told Green’s supporters.

Green said the prosecutor’s office has a strong foundation, but she would make a few tweaks. One is increasing the accessibility of public information through social media and website platforms. That could be victim’s forms, a way to file complaints — things people expect at their fingertips. There also could be more information about how the legal system really works, especially topics such as bail, which is available to nearly all offenders, and plea agreements.

Green said she’s committed to, and is filing motions to revoke bail for those who are arrested and charged with additional felonies when free on bail, and she said the best deals should be given early during a case.

“If you did it and you think you deserve a good deal, then don’t waste our time and the court’s time and drag this out for months and years,” she said. “No. If you’re guilty and you want a good deal, then you come in early and you be ready to put your tail between your legs and say you’re guilty.”

Republican voters will choose their nominee for prosecutor and other county offices in the spring of 2026. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.