Howe scores two major endorsements in bid for Johnson County D.A.

Republicans in Johnson County don’t want another Dennis Moore occupying the district attorney’s office for the next 12 years.

So, they’re getting behind former assistant D.A. Steve Howe in a big way.

Months before the Republican primary election, Howe won two major endorsements today_ Kansas' two U.S. senators, Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts.

Both moderates and conservative Republicans appear to be rallying around Howe. The co-chairman of his campaign is Greg Musil, a former Overland Park councilman and a well-known GOP moderate.

Why are they uniting behind Howe?

Republicans could be facing a formidable Democratic candidate in Rick Guinn, also a former Johnson County assistant prosecutor. They also remember that Moore, a Democrat, won the district attorney job in 1976 and held it for three terms, relinquishing it to then-Republican Paul Morrison in 1989.

Phill Kline, the current district attorney, isn’t expected to run for re-election.