Return Rice to district attorney’s office

Kathleen Rice ascended to the district attorney’s post four years ago as a virtual unknown -- a former federal prosecutor and Brooklyn assistant district attorney who had never run for political office before. Back then, she appeared a tad unsure of herself, slightly nervous in her interviews with the Herald. And why not? She was opposing the legendary Denis Dillon, who had served as Nassau County district attorney for 31 years.

Despite being a political neophyte, Rice ran a strong campaign, and was elected with 51 percent of the vote to Dillon’s 49 percent.

Four years later, we’re happy that Rice was elected. She has proven herself to be a consummate professional who only improved an already well-run D.A.’s office. Cases are processed nearly twice as fast as they once were. Conviction rates are up. And Rice has garnered a national reputation for her aggressive stance against driving while intoxicated. Many now call her the toughest DWI prosecutor in the country.

But she’s not only about convicting law-breakers. She also works hard to educate the public about the dangers of DWI and drug abuse. At the same time, she actively lobbies the state Legislature to upgrade laws to help authorities get the bad guys.

In her interview with the Herald this time around, Rice’s passion and love for her job shone through, and it was clear that she has gained a great deal of self-confidence during her first term in office. That’s why we are proud to endorse her for district attorney this year.

Rice’s opponent, Joy Watson, a former assistant D.A. for many years under Dillon, is a seasoned professional who dedicated two decades of service to the county and is now a law clerk for a local Supreme Court justice. We like her, but she offered us no compelling reason to unseat Rice, who we believe is just getting started as one of the county’s truly great D.A.’s.

We encourage voters to re-elect Rice on Nov. 3.