It will be Branson vs. Kenney in the race for the county’s top criminal prosecutor.

Lawrence attorney Charles Branson won nearly 60 percent of the vote Tuesday against Martin L. Miller in the Democratic primary for Douglas County district attorney. Branson promised a competitive race against incumbent Christine Kenney, a Republican who hasn’t been challenged since taking office in 1996.

“Christine is very entrenched in that office,” Branson said as he watched results come in at the Douglas County Courthouse, 111 E. 11th St. “The county is not getting the service it deserves from that office.”

Branson, 34, ran on a platform that included a plan to create a consumer-protection office and improve services for witnesses and victims. He also says Kenney isn’t spending enough time in court prosecuting cases herself.

“I think people responded very well to the ideas that we put forward for the office,” Branson said. “I think those are very important issues and I think people have felt that those issues are relevant, they’re timely, and they’re very supportable.”

Miller, 56, a 23-year-legal veteran and former assistant Dist. Atty., said he thought Branson won the race in large part because he spent time networking with influential Democrats and attending party functions.

“I have not been planning a political career. That’s the difference,” Miller said. “If I had been, I probably would have been out there attending more of that stuff.”

Miller said Republicans would have an easier time winning the race with Branson as the nominee. During the campaign Miller questioned whether Branson’s job as part-time Eudora city prosecutor has given him enough crime-fighting experience, and he predicted it would be “a real issue” in the upcoming general election.

Miller said he didn’t know whether his campaign was affected by the coincidence of a different Lawrence resident with a same first and last name, Martin Kenneth Miller, being charged this week with murdering his wife. The candidate said he’d heard informally from a supporter that there had been some confusion in the community.

“I don’t think it should have had any effect if people vote with their heads,” he said.

Kenney, who was unopposed in the Republican primary, declined to give her thoughts about having Branson as an opponent. She said her campaign will focus on her track record, regardless of the challenger.

“For eight years, I have provided quality service and a professional staff with prosecutors who have served this community and who are committed to protecting our citizens,” she said.