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With a Tweet, race for district attorney race heats up

I was home Friday night (Jan. 20) browsing the news online and following my Twitter account when the Walworth County race for district attorney quickly got interesting.

Dan Necci of Delavan, whose law practice is based in Elkhorn, announced he was running for Walworth County district attorney with a Tweet that read, “After many requests and much prayer, I have entered the race for Wal. Co. D.A. Please follow @necci4da. Thanks and G.B.”

Even in local politics now, online communications and social networks are taking a greater role in spreading news.

Necci’s announcement makes him the second candidate to announce a bid for the district attorney’s job.

Richard Sullivan, 42, a Rock County assistant district attorney who lives in Walworth, is the only other announced candidate so far for the district attorney post.

Both Sullivan and Necci are Republicans.

Current Walworth County District Attorney Phillip Koss is running for the Branch I Circuit Court seat, currently held by Judge Robert Kennedy. Kennedy said he does not intend to run for another term, and has thrown his support behind Koss, who has served since 1990.

A new judge will be elected in April, but Koss’ term is up next fall, So Gov. Scott Walker would appoint someone to hold that position until a new prosecutor is elected.

After we posted the story online, some readers also encouraged Walworth County Deputy District Attorney Joshua Grube to run.

However, he told me last week that he has decided not to enter the race.

In the meantime, here’s what Sullivan said on WalworthCountyToday.com when he announced his candidacy:

“I think we have some really good ideas about how we can move the office forward,” Sullivan said. “There have been great strides taken, but I will bring a new perspective.”

For example, Sullivan is interested in exploring a drug court in Walworth County so those arrested on drug charges could get options for treatment as an alternative to jail. A drug court in Rock County has been successful at reducing recidivism rates, Sullivan said.

For his part, Necci issued a formal news release last Monday. In it, he said:

“It is with equally great excitement and modesty, that, after having been approached by many of our community leaders and asked to consider this position, I formally announce my candidacy for district attorney of Walworth County.”

Necci says his candidacy already has been endorsed by village of Walworth Chief of Police Chris Severt, State Rep. Tyler August, city of Delavan Mayor Mel Nieuwenhuis, Williams Bay Village President and former Genoa City Chief of Police John Mara, attorney Lowell Sweet, Bob Rauland of Rauland Realty in Walworth and Sgt. Tom Hausner of the Walworth County Sheriff’s office.