Candidate files to run for Johnson County DA, first challenger to Howe in 12 years
A Kansas lawyer and former Johnson County public defender plans to run as a Democrat against Republican incumbent Steve Howe for Johnson County district attorney.
Zach Thomas, owner of a law office in Olathe, is the first person to run against Howe since he was elected to his first term in 2008, according to the Johnson County district attorney’s office website.
Thomas, from Lenexa, worked in the Johnson County public defenders office from 2012 until 2014 before opening his own firm, according to his campaign website. Before his time in the public defenders office, his site said, he worked in civil law. If elected, his campaign said in a news release, he would be the first person of color to serve as district attorney in the county.
In a video announcing his candidacy, Thomas said Johnson County was falling behind and said violent crime rates had increased during Howe’s time in office.
According to the news release, Thomas would address this by focusing on violent crime and property crime and implementing drug courts and mental health courts for non-violent offenders
“Our court system has never been more overtaxed,” said Thomas, “And the pandemic is only making matters worse. Something has to change.”
In an email to The Star Wednesday, Howe cited his work to protect vulnerable community members as district attorney over the past 12 years. Howe filed to run for reelection at the beginning of the month.
“I look forward to comparing our resumes and I am proud of my body of work as the Johnson County District Attorney,” Howe said. “My office will continue to partner with our law enforcement agencies to aggressively prosecute violent criminals, including those involved in drug related violence in our community.”
No other candidates had filed to run for the office by Wednesday afternoon. If both candidates are unopposed in August’s primary voters will choose between them and any third party challengers in November.
