Endorsement: Kim in Republican Attorney General primary

For decades, the Illinois attorney general's office has had a reputation as one primarily focused on consumer protection, and that is an important role. But it is not the only role, and in today's age of polarization, it's important to understand that the responsibilities of the office could be much more expansive - and, unfortunately, much more political.

Given the obstructions that many fear could threaten election integrity in 2024, voters need to put a priority this year on electing an attorney general who rises above partisanship and loyalty to party.

In the three-way Republican primary for attorney general, attorney Steve Kim of Deerfield best fits that definition. We endorse him.

Kim, who ran unsuccessfully for attorney general in 2010 and then as gubernatorial candidate Dan Rutherford's lieutenant governor running mate in their losing primary race in 2014, is as reasoned a politician as he is relentless.

Yes, he has expansive priorities for the office - but as a tool for fighting violent crime and corruption, not as a weapon for serving ideologies.

He grew up in the Jim Edgar-Mark Kirk spirit of Illinois' Republican Party. As such, he is not afraid to take on tough fights, but neither is he subservient to the party line when it makes sense to vary from it.

His opponents - David Shestokas of Orland Park and Thomas DeVore of downstate Greenville - are talented attorneys and skilled critics of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's authority to mandate COVID-19 restrictions, but neither is apt to attract the broad support necessary to make them electable in November.