Democrat Chris Biggs and Republican Sandy Praeger have the Journal-World’s support in Tuesday’s election.

A variety of political decisions by top state officials have created open races this year in several important state offices. The Journal-World would like to recommend candidates in the races for Kansas attorney general and Kansas commissioner of insurance.

The attorney general’s race presents a clear contrast between Republican Phill Kline and Democrat Chris Biggs. Kline, who lives in Johnson County, has allowed his law license to lapse several times and has little experience as a practicing attorney. By contrast, Biggs has served 14 years as Geary County’s prosecutor.

The prosecutor’s job in Junction City is the only public office Biggs previously has sought. He says he has no political aspirations beyond the Attorney General’s Office and his interest in that office is as an attorney wanting to enforce the laws of the state fairly. Kline, a conservative, identifies himself as a pro-life candidate, and there are questions about how vigorously he would promote that agenda as attorney general.

Kline has more political experience than Biggs, but he won few friends while serving in the Kansas Legislature and many who served with him, including fellow Republicans, are not supporting his bid for attorney general. Many believe Kline would use his office to promote himself and would initiate legal actions for the purpose of gaining national attention.

Biggs appears to be better qualified for the office of attorney general and has the Journal-World’s support in that race.

We also recommend State Sen. Sandy Praeger in her bid to become the next insurance commissioner. Praeger has done an able job as a Lawrence city commissioner and mayor and represented this city well as a state legislator. There is nothing to suggest she would be anything less than able as an insurance commissioner. She is active and well-versed in many health care issues and has shown both fairness and intelligence in dealing with a variety of state issues.

The offices of attorney general and insurance commission have a great effect on the lives of Kansans and deserve the full attention of voters prior to Tuesday’s election.