ELIZABETHTOWN — Essex County District Attorney Julie Garcia’s emphasis on underage drinking is misplaced and actually detracts from the prosecution of more serious crimes, her opponents separately contend.

Garcia is concerned about caustic rumors being spread about her office, her opponents in the upcoming election say they aren’t the ones behind the gossip.

Garcia is planning to run for re-election on the Republican Party ticket in September.

But one of her opponents, Kristy Sprague, received the Republican endorsement instead of Garcia.

That means there will be a Republican primary between Garcia, a Westport resident, and Sprague, who lives in Plattsburgh but has promised to move to Essex County if elected.

A third candidate, Brian Barrett of Lake Placid, was also denied the Republican endorsement. He said he is now running as an independent and is seeking Democratic Party approval to run on that line.

RUMORS

Most of the rumors — which Garcia asserts are incorrect — claim the DA’s budget has been increasing and that her prosecutions have been dropping.

Barrett said he isn’t starting any rumors and hopes the campaign will focus on issues.

“I don’t get into campaign stunts. I’m not running because of her (Garcia). I’m running for myself.”

Barrett said Garcia has an adept staff in her office.

“Julie has put together some good people. If the evidence is not there, they will not prosecute cases.”

He said people he knows are “frustrated with Julie because she gets into nit-picking stuff.”

Barrett said he hopes the election doesn’t become contentious, as it did in 2005, when Garcia and Sprague were also opponents.