Endorsement: Hernandez for Illinois House Dist. 77

Voters in the 77th District of the Illinois House of Representatives will literally see déjà vu all over again on the Nov. 3 ballot as Republican Anthony Airdo faces off against Democratic incumbent Norma Hernandez for the third time.

And the results seem likely to be familiar, too. To the extent that voters may see him, Airdo seems a sincere enough candidate, but his campaign efforts do not show the promise of a responsive elected representative.

Both candidates are from Melrose Park in a district that stretches from there north through Addison and Bensenville then on to just south of Des Plaines.

In the past, we have praised Hernandez for refined, compassionate positions on issues like immigration, criminal reform and state budgeting. We have grown a bit concerned over time about whether she can be an independent voice in a party whose overwhelming majority in an autocratic legislative culture cries out for members willing to be outspoken challengers. Yet, on the whole, we find her to be an effective representative for the interests of her district.

It would be interesting, indeed valuable, for an energetic Republican to elevate the debate over issues in state government with a serious, vigorous challenge, but that is not the case here. We endorse Hernandez for re-election.