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About Larry Basford

Larry Basford has been a prosecutor in the 14th Judicial Circuit for over 34 years. During his career, he has prosecuted thousands of cases. Larry has personally tried over 250 jury trials, including over 60 homicide cases. He understands that it takes a team effort by the victims, the witnesses, the law enforcement agencies and the dedicated staff and attorneys at the State Attorney’s Office for justice to prevail. Larry understands the devastating effect crimes have on victims and on our community. He knows the public must have faith that the criminal justice system is fair and works for everyone.

In addition to his trial experience, Larry has consistently been selected for leadership roles within the State Attorney’s Office. These positions include:

  • Chief Assistant State Attorney (2016-2020)

  • Chief of Major Crimes Division (2005-2016)

  • County Supervisor for Jackson County (1996-2004)

As Chief of the Major Crimes Division, Larry prosecuted homicide and white- collar crimes, and oversaw the office-wide homicide prosecution efforts.

In his latest position as Chief Assistant State Attorney, Larry was responsible for leading the prosecution efforts of 33 attorneys and helping manage the office budget and administration. He expanded the diversion programs for non-violent offenders to all six counties in the 14th Judicial Circuit. Larry also helped implement several innovative programs including Veterans Court and a Construction Fraud Task Force to protect the victims of Hurricane Michael. In addition to his administrative oversight, Larry continued to review and prosecute homicide cases.

Larry graduated with Honors from Marianna High School, Florida State University School of Criminology and Florida State University College of Law.

Larry has tried and convicted many of the most infamous murderers and defendants in the 14th Judicial Circuit. These include: the killer of Danielle Baker and her three children in Marianna in 2005; the two murderers of Canadian Air Force Major David Turenne outside his Forest Park home in 1996; the gang member who killed PCB Sgt. Kevin Kight on Easter Sunday 2005; and the DUI driver who killed four softball players leaving Harders Field in 2016. Larry also convicted the Sailboat Shooter of FWC Officer Dave Brady in 2015 and the Spring Break Shooter who shot seven victims at a house party on Thomas Drive in 2015.

The 14th Judicial Circuit is comprised of Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. There are only 20 State Attorneys in the State of Florida, and each one is elected by the voters within that judicial circuit. Each office also works closely with the Florida Attorney General in Tallahassee on matters of shared critical concern.

 


Beloved mother Alvina Basford with Larry (1958)


Father, Nathan Basford, with Larry in Iran (1978)


Larry with his grandchildren (2020)

 

Larry Basford is the most qualified candidate for State Attorney on the August 18 primary election ballot:

State Attorney and former Judge Glenn Hess with then-Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford

 

 

  • the only candidate to have served as your Chief Assistant State Attorney in the 14th Judicial Circuit, overseeing a $10 million budget across 6 counties of daily operations with regular court hearings.

  • the only candidate to have successfully tried more than 250 jury trials in a courtroom. Jury trials are the most challenging for all parties involved, the most complicated, the most serious, and most certainly the ones where the lives of victims and their loved ones are forever changed. Each and every time, Larry Basford has been there for the family or the victim.

  • the only candidate with supervisory experience over the entire State Attorney’s Office. Why does this matter? Deciding how to best put resources into each community – by consulting with local non-profits and local law enforcement leadership—is something learned only from experience and a very long tenure of trust.

  • the only candidate to receive endorsements in the first 30 days of his campaign from prominent local law enforcement leaders, including former Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen, and current State Attorney for the 14th Judicial Circuit Glenn Hess (retiring).

  • the only candidate to have the endorsement in the first 30 days of the campaign from the former elected Public Defender for the 14th Judicial Circuit Herman D. Laramore. This is a sign of utmost respect to any prosecutor who sits on the other side of cases before the Court.

  • the only candidate with decades of experience at the State Attorney’s Office… in the very same place he was raised.

More about Larry

 

Larry Basford was born and raised in Jackson County. He graduated from Marianna High School where he played baseball and football. Larry went on to play baseball at Wallace Junior College and was a walk-on football player at Florida State University. Larry graduated with Honors from the School of Criminology and the College of Law at Florida State University. Larry attributes his work ethic and his passion for teamwork and honesty to the lessons he learned from his parents, his coaches, and the life experiences he learned from working on farms and various construction projects.

Larry lives in Lynn Haven where he raised his son and daughter. He is especially proud that both chose to work as law enforcement officers after college and that both have returned and now call Bay County home once again.

Larry is an active member of First United Methodist Church, St. Andrews Bay Inn of Court, National Rifle Association (Life Member), Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, and a volunteer Board Member of the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center. He also has served as Chairman of the 14th Circuit Grievance Committee, as the 14th Circuit’s Representative to the YLD Board of Governors with the Florida Bar, and as former President of the Bay County Bar Association.


Larry with his family (2020)


Political advertisement paid for and approved by Larry Basford, Republican, for State Attorney.

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