by Heather Schaefer - Northwoods Media

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Forest County District Attorney Leon D. Stenz has announced he will be a candidate for Forest-Florence County Circuit Court Judge in the April 1, 2008 election.

He will challenge incumbent Forest/Florence County Judge Robert A. Kennedy Jr. in what could be a rematch of the 2002 Forest/Florence County judicial race.

Stenz graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. in 1976, with highest honors and from Marquette University Law School in 1983.

Stenz has been practicing law in Forest County for over 20 years during which time he has served as the Crandon City Attorney, Forest County Court Commissioner and attorney for many local Towns.

Since 1999 he has served as the Forest County District Attorney.

As district attorney, Stenz claims he has seen the number of arrests and complaints nearly triple and the case load in his office grow from only requiring a part-time position to an office having one of the highest percentages of need in the state. He has successfully prosecuted a number of high profile homicides, sexual assaults and other serious crimes and he says he works to make sure that victims' rights are protected.

In 2005, he was honored by his colleagues and named Wisconsin Prosecutor of the Year by the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association.

Stenz said he believes that the citizens of Forest and Florence Counties deserve a Judge who applies the existing law fairly, consistently and impartially.

"Each person who comes before the court deserves to be heard and have their cases decided on a timely basis. I am committed to assuring that justice is available to all citizens of Forest and Florence Counties and will work daily to restore the public's faith in our judicial system" Stenz said.

"Voting is one of our most cherished rights. It is most effectively exercised when the voter makes an informed decision. Guesswork is the wrong way to pick a judge. Instead, rely on the sound advise of those who are familiar with the justice system such as attorneys, law enforcement officers, court personnel and others you respect," Stenz suggested.

Kennedy announced in late November he would seek another term on the bench.

He was elected in 2002, replacing his father, Robert A. Kennedy Sr., who retired after more than a dozen years in office. The junior Kennedy defeated Stenz in that bitterly contested race which featured allegations of unethical behavior coming from both candidates.

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native wrote on Dec 7, 2007 1:03 PM: " I'm for Stenz. He seems to be fair and he does listen. I talked to him more than a few times when my sister was violently beaten by three gang members. The three were put where they should be, and others like them. " The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.

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