KC Star: Rick Guinn best choice for Joco DA

The following editorial appeared in the Kansas City Star on Tuesday, October 14, 2008:

Phill Kline’s defeat in the GOP primary gave Johnson County voters the opportunity to choose between two qualified prosecutors in the district attorney’s race.

Stronger professional credentials give Democrat Rick Guinn the edge over Republican Steve Howe.

Guinn has been a prosecutor for 26 years. More than half that time was spent as first assistant district attorney in Johnson County — a step away from the office’s top job.

He has tried more than 100 cases before juries and obtained convictions in more than 90 percent of them.

Howe also established a good track record during 16 years as an assistant prosecutor in Johnson County.

But it is significant that law enforcement groups have weighed in on Guinn’s behalf. He’s been endorsed by seven retired Johnson County police chiefs, four area firefighters associations, 25 former assistant district attorneys and by Friends of Police, an association of former and current officers from five Johnson County police departments.

Howe’s endorsements are mostly from Republican politicians.

Guinn has spent the last two years leading the criminal justice division in the Kansas attorney general’s office.

He has good ideas for reducing crime by combating truancy.

He wants to network with schools, businesses and other groups to educate people about ways to reduce the incidence of crimes.

Of the two candidates, Guinn is more inclined to bring a just but swift conclusion to Kline’s controversial criminal case against the Overland Park Planned Parenthood clinic.

And in contrast to Howe, Guinn believes the rules for convening grand juries through petition drives should be tightened to avoid charges based on flimsy or nonexistent evidence.

Kline’s departure alone will be good news for Johnson Countians. Guinn is the best choice to restore confidence in the ability of the district attorney’s office to prosecute criminals.