Almaden Resident
News
Photograph by Nhat V. Meyer-Mercury News
Done Deal: District Attorney-elect Dolores Carr, the big winner on election night, hugs her daughter-in-law Shannon Carr during a celebration at the Britannia Arms in San Jose. The Almaden Valley resident is the county's first female DA.
Voters elect Dolores Carr for new perspective in the county district
By Monica Heger
A new perspective and fresh start was the theme for this November's local elections, and the Santa Clara County district attorney's race was no exception.
Dolores Carr won approximately 60 percent of the vote--nearly 70,000 more votes than opponent Karyn Sinunu--becoming Santa Clara County's first female district attorney.
Sinunu, the chief assistant to the district attorney, started the race as the favorite. Outgoing District Attorney George Kennedy endorsed her early, providing a strong voice of support. The tide changed during the campaign, however, when Kennedy withdrew his support and the San Jose Mercury News series, "Tainted Trials, Stolen Justice," brought to light several men who had been prosecuted and convicted of crimes they did not commit.
Carr believes those two factors, combined with her message that justice is not a win at all costs, resonated with voters.
"Public safety has to be balanced with fairness and compassion," Carr said.
Carr, who lives in Almaden Valley, has spent the last six years as a Superior Court judge, has 15 years of experience in the DA's office and five years' in private practice.
Voter Yolanda Reynolds agreed it was Carr's perspective that set her apart.
"I think she will bring good insight," Reynolds said. "I've met with Carr a few times, and she seems to be very reasonable. She seems to be a good listener."
Other residents said it was Kennedy's withdrawal of support from Sinunu that really made the difference.
"The most interesting part of the race was watching the DA [George Kennedy] back in and out," voter Randi Kinman said.
Asked how she feels about being the county's first female DA, Carr said the fact that she is the first signifies the amount of time it takes for women in both the legal profession and public service profession to rise to leadership positions.
"I think it's more of a function of time than the perception of the public," Carr said. "It takes a number of years to rise throughout the ranks to get to the levels of leadership experience needed to run for the office."
