Robert Bascom announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Centre County district attorney Wednesday, hoping to win his party's favor over fellow Republican and 16-year incumbent Ray Gricar.

Bascom is a partner of the Mazza, Schneider, Arbuckle, & Bascom law practice based in State College.

Bascom's Republican opponent, District Attorney Ray Gricar, has been the Centre County district attorney since 1985 and has run unopposed since 1997.

If elected, Bascom said he would take a more proactive approach to law enforcement.

Bascom said he would enact a report card system to provide annual feedback on things like arrests, convictions and plea bargains.

The report cards would make the district attorney's office more accountable to those in law enforcement and the community and would be accessible to the public via the Internet.

Bascom also said he plans to focus not only on prosecution and case preparation, but also on crime prevention. He discussed a possible development of a DUI Strike Force, similar to the Centre County Drug Task Force.

"When it (a court case) gets to the Centre County Courthouse, I believe the community has lost already," Bascom said.

"There has to be something more we can do."

Unlike most prosecutors, Bascom's background is in criminal defense. A graduate of Widener University School of Law in 1992, Bascom remained in Harrisburg as an assistant public defender after graduation.

Incumbent Ray Gricar announced his candidacy for re-election in early January and said he plans to continue his prosecution work and law enforcement.

The Republican Party is the only party that has announced candidates for the Centre County district attorney position at this point.

The party primaries for the position are May 15 and the general election will be held Nov. 6.