DuPage County Associate Judge John Kinsella is the first candidate to publicly announce that he will enter the Feb. 5 Republican primary for one of two vacant full Circuit Court judgeships.
Kinsella, 51, of Bartlett, an associate judge for four years at present hearing drunken-driving cases, was an assistant state’s attorney for 23 years and first assistant when he was appointed an associate judge.
“I believe that the quality of life that we all seek can be greatly affected by how our laws are enforced and that my years of law-enforcement experience demonstrate my commitment to preserving the values we all share,” said Kinsella, who announced his candidacy Monday.
The two vacancies are due to the retirement of Circuit Judges Edward Duncan and Kenneth Moy. Candidates, who will file their nominating petitions from Oct. 29 to Nov. 5, are required to be attorneys. Several other current associate judges are expected to also file nominating petitions in the Republican primary.
Winners of the Republican primary will need to be elected in the November 2008 general election.
