Endorsement: Foxx over Pfannkuche for Cook state's attorney

Two strong candidates are competing for Cook County state's attorney, and either would be a good choice.

Ultimately, we side with Kim Foxx, a former assistant state's attorney and onetime chief of staff for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Foxx's array of experience gives her a unique perspective that should help address both rising gang violence and the difficult and polarizing issues related to police conduct in the inner city.

Much has been made in both the primary campaign Foxx ran against incumbent Anita Alvarez and now in the general election race against Republican Christopher E.K. Pfannkuche about her comparative lack of courtroom experience.

While more courtroom experience would no doubt be beneficial, the job of state's attorney is more about administering the office and setting its standards and philosophy.

Foxx's experience as an administrator and manager both in her chief of staff position and in her tenure at a fairly young age supervising prosecutors in felony juvenile courtrooms prepare her well for the challenges in the state's attorney's office as do her obvious leadership skills.

We endorse Foxx, but in no way do we demean Pfannkuche's candidacy.

As a longtime prosecutor, a legal scholar and an instructor who has trained police as well as attorneys, Pfannkuche offers thoughtful insights into the challenges of the office.

We wish the voters could elect both.