Endorsement: Moylan for state representative in 55th District

This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

Michael Lupo strikes us as a promising candidate for the Illinois House. The Park Ridge Republican is engaging and bright with a common-sense approach to government. We like him.

But here is Lupo's problem:

State Rep. Marty Moylan, his opponent in the newly drawn 55th District, is the quintessential model of what a Democratic legislator should be - hardworking, socially conscious, problem-solving and practical. The former Des Plaines mayor is practical and pragmatic.

Independent too. He's one of too small a handful of Democrats in Springfield who questions the Safe-T Act's elimination of cash bail. He supports police reform, but he supports police, too.

Moylan is not a throw-the-baby-out-with-the-bath-water kind of guy. His positions are not always right, but they at least are not generally reflexive.

As we've said in the past, he works across the aisle and he is willing to make some noise.

We need more Democrats like Moylan, not fewer.

We like Lupo and under other circumstances might consider recommending him.

But our endorsement goes enthusiastically to Moylan - because of his experience, his independence, his down-to-earth values, his centrist views.

The district is primarily made up of Des Plaines and Park Ridge, but also takes in parts of Morton Grove, Niles, Rosemont and Chicago.