Ryan Mears has been elected the next Marion County Prosecutor by the Marion County Democratic Party.

The Marion County Democratic Party held a caucus meeting Saturday morning to allow committee people to cast their votes for prosecutor. Mears assumed the role of acting prosecutor after Terry Curry resigned from the position on Sept. 23 for health reasons.

Prior to serving as interim prosecutor, Mears was a chief trial deputy — working closely with Curry supervising criminal prosecutions. He says that being elected as prosecutor is an opportunity to carry on with Curry’s legacy.

“I think Marion County is going to continue to be a compassionate place where we are going to give everybody the opportunity to succeed,” Mears says, “but we’re going to draw a hard line in the sand when it comes to violent crime.”

Mears announced last week the county will no longer prosecute simple possession of marijuana cases involving less than one ounce, so the focus can shift to more violent crimes.

Tim Moriarty, special counsel to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, challenged Mears. He was endorsed by prominent Democratic leaders such as Hogsett and U.S. Rep. Andre Carson.

Mears will complete the term through Dec. 31, 2020.