While campaign season is far off, it is not too early for
community-minded lawyers who want to make a difference in San
Benito County to consider a run for District Attorney. It is a key
position in our county government that, in recent years, has been
plagued by controversy and weakened through political
infighting.
While campaign season is far off, it is not too early for community-minded lawyers who want to make a difference in San Benito County to consider a run for District Attorney. It is a key position in our county government that, in recent years, has been plagued by controversy and weakened through political infighting.
So far, only District Attorney John Sarsfield and his adversary in the 2002 race, defense attorney Arthur Cantu, are saying they want to run for the seat next year. That’s a disappointingly-small number of candidates. But, because there is plenty of time to get in line for the 2006 election, we want to encourage the San Benito County Bar Association to start looking for candidates and to ask individuals lawyers to consider entering the race.
The community needs someone of integrity and ability to be the county’s top cop. It needs someone who will eschew the nasty political fight that defined the last district attorney’s race in which Cantu and Sarsfield faced off. Most of all, what San Benito County needs is a wide field of candidates to give voters a number of options for this important job.
We are not looking for candidates who view the District Attorney’s office as a means to wage political battles. We’ve had enough of that in the last year. What we want is a person who can effectively prosecute crime, protect the average citizen and keep politics out of the justice system. We’re looking for candidates who will put the welfare of the community ahead of personal ambition.
We’re certain there are a number of qualified lawyers who would make a good district attorney and lead the office to meet the high expectations the community has for its head prosecutor. We just need them to get involved.
We hope potential candidates do not eliminate themselves from consideration because they are wary of being in the public spotlight and taking the heat that comes with holding public office in San Benito County. Sarsfield and his adversaries have done a good job of stirring up endless controversies in the past year. But, under a strong leader with a clear vision of what the job should be, the District Attorney’s office need not be in constant turmoil and under a continuous barrage of political attacks.
Achieving our expectations can happen, but we need good candidates who want to serve for the right reasons. A single person can have a lasting positive effect on law enforcement in San Benito County.
If you’re interested, the job pays $9,700 per month. Information on how to run is available at the County Clerk’s office.
