Endorsement: Daily Herald recommends Kramer over Hain for Kane County sheriff

Kane County sheriff: Kramer

Depending on circumstances, we have alternately endorsed (or not) Republican Kane County Sheriff Don Kramer. Depending on perspective, his was an inauspicious start. One month after taking office in 2014, he decided to no longer house federal prisoners at the jail, citing safety and officers' grievances. It created a significant budget hole. We endorsed Sgt. Ron Hain in his Democratic primary for his ideas on improving the department. Now that it's Kramer vs. Hain, we favor the incumbent. While acknowledging fiduciary responsibilities, Job 1 for Kramer is public safety. While the county board has financial limits, Kramer must adhere to state mandates. He has been tireless in battling the opioid crisis, yet realistic in declaring that while it can't be solved, his goal is to reduce the number of overdose deaths. He's also at the forefront in addressing mental health issues relating to inmates past and present. We endorse Kramer.