SARASOTA COUNTY — Ed Brodsky and Peter Lombardo, the Republican primary candidates looking to replace six-term state attorney of the 12th Judicial Circuit Earl Moreland, recently responded to a variety of questions about the job they seek and their qualifications for it.

Brodsky, 47, currently serves as chief assistant state attorney under Moreland, a position he’s held for the last year and a half, although he has worked in the state attorney’s office for the last 20 years. In the post, he oversees the day-to-day operations of all attorneys and staff in offices in Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties. He maintains he is the only candidate board-certified in criminal trial law by the Florida Bar, adding he has tried more than 100 jury trials including first- and second-degree murder, manslaughter, child abuse and sexual predator cases.