Rick Guinn Files to Run for Johnson County District Attorney

June 10, 2008 -- Johnson County Prosecutor Rick Guinn (D) today filed to run for Johnson County District Attorney, vowing to refocus the role of the District Attorney's Office back on law enforcement issues instead of political issues.

"Johnson County deserves a proven crime fighter as their District Attorney. I am ready to use my experience and qualifications to focus the District Attorney's Office on prosecuting criminals, not political issues," Guinn said of his decision to run.

"It's time a proven and experienced prosecutor is returned to the District Attorney's office, and I am confident my 26 years of service to the people of Johnson County will show voters I am qualified and ready to take the job."

Guinn, who spent 26 years as a prosecutor in Johnson County, became First Assistant District Attorney in 1989. During that time, Guinn personally tried over 100 criminal jury trials, maintaining a 90 percent conviction rate.

In the early 2000s, he led the White Collar Crime and Consumer Protection Division becoming an expert in white collar crime and arson. Guinn was later named Prosecutor of the Year by the Kansas City Area Arson Taskforce for his work on the Debra Green case.

In January of 2007, Guinn joined the Kansas Attorney General's Office, where he currently leads the Criminal Justice Division and prosecutes major felonies to assist counties across the state. He is currently prosecuting a number of high profile cases.

Additionally, Guinn has served as president of the Johnson County Bar Association, board member of the child advocacy center Sunflower House and board member of Bethpage, a residential care facility for developmentally disabled adults.

In January of 2008, Guinn reported that his campaign raised over $100,000 in the first six months of its campaign.

Guinn lives in Overland Park with his wife Angela and their two sons.

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