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Qualifications Comparison with Opponent

One candidate is qualified to be chief law enforcement official in Northern California’s largest county; the other is not.

District Attorney George Kennedy Opponent

Demonstrated Ability as Prosecutor
Extensive, successful jury trial experience in murder, rape and full range of serious and violent  cases which are the responsibility of the District Attorney. No experience with murder, rape, felony child molest, or complex fraud cases.
Has one of the highest winning percentages for convictions in felony jury trials recorded in the district attorney's office. Has one of the lowest winning percentages for felony jury trials in the district attorney's office.
Highest National ranking (AV) for ability and ethics from the leading independent national attorney rating service, Martindale-Hubbell. Unranked.

Management of one of California’s largest law offices
Supervises 173 deputy district attorneys, 85 investigators, a Laboratory of Criminalistics, a child support division, branch offices, an extensive training program, automation, and a $60 million dollar law enforcement budget from local, state and federal sources. Has no experience supervising any other district attorney employee, and has never held any management position in law enforcement or any law office.
Before being elected to serve the people of Santa Clara County, earned wide respect for his accomplishments in intermediate management positions. See above
Founded and is a recognized leader in numerous successful law enforcement task forces and initiatives. See above

Breadth of Experience
Has successfully handled all areas of district attorney responsibility including investigation, criminalistics, trial work, appellate law, management, audit, and policy-maker positions. Has not handled felony sexual assaults, homicides, high-technology crimes, juvenile crime, investigations, laboratories, child support enforcement, writs, appeals, extraditions, grand juries, forensic accounting, legislation, training, law enforcement budgets, supervision, or management.

Respect of Law Enforcement Professionals
President, California District Attorneys Association.  Director, National District Attorneys Association. California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commissioner 1993-96. Endorsed by San Jose Police Officers Association, Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriffs Association, PORAC, Santa Clara County Police Chiefs' Association. No known support.