There’s a Democrat seeking the office of district attorney.

For years county Dems have for the most part surrendered the top law enforcement position to the GOP. Part of that was rooted in the once-lopsided registration edge that allowed county Republicans to control the county courthouse.

Perhaps it’s a sign of the times that, with that registration edge now tilting only slightly to the GOP side of the ledger, county Democrats have been emboldened to add to their recent gains in the county.

Bolstered by their growing registration numbers, Democrats have taken control of several towns, a couple of state House seats, a Congressional post (which the Republicans won back), and of course have seen the county trend Democratic now in the last five presidential races.

But they continue to be shut out of the courthouse, including the D.A.’s post.

So it could be seen as another measure of their growth that they are fielding a candidate to succeed G. Michael Green.

Unfortunately, that’s where their good news ends.

Attorney Kendall Brown of Nether Providence is squaring off with outgoing Republican Delaware County Council Chairman John “Jack” Whelan of Ridley Township.

Brown pales in almost every comparison to Whelan.

Whelan has experience as both a prosecutor, having worked as an assistant district attorney, and a knowledge of crime and justice at the municipal level as a longtime Ridley Township commissioner, where he oversaw the police department and public safety.

Perhaps most troubling about Brown’s bid is that she has run her campaign while not holding an active law license. She does not need an active license until she actually takes office, and has indicated a paperwork error is responsible for the delay. The bulk of her experience has come in commercial and white-collar cases. She also operates an event-planning business.

Whelan envisions himself as likely a bit more hands-on leader of the district attorney’s office, drawing on his experience as a trial team leader during his five-year stint as an ADA.

He stresses the use of developing technology as something the office needs to embrace.

We applaud county Democrats for fielding a D.A. candidate for the first time in 16 years, in the process offering voters a choice.

In this race we believe the choice is clear.

The Daily Times enthusiastically endorses Jack Whelan for district attorney.

Also being contested Tuesday are five seats on the county Common Pleas Court.

Democrats seeking to join the bench are Sally Ann Heckert Bikin, G. Lawrence DeMarco and Michael F. Schleigh.

They will face off with Republicans Christine Fizzano Cannon, John P. Capuzzi Sr., District Attorney G. Michael Green, Public Defender Spiros Angelos and Nathaniel Nichols. Nichols and Fizzano Cannon also appear on the Democratic ballot.

These are six viable candidates, all of whom would bring a certain expertise to the bench.

Three immediately stand out. Green, of Drexel Hill, is making the logical progression from prosecuting cases as D.A. to hearing them. He would bring a steady, even hand and a wealth of experience in the justice system.

Likewise, Capuzzi brings a unique vision, having served as magisterial district judge in Marple for years. Before that he worked in the state attorney general’s office and also served eight years as council president in Yeadon Borough.

Equally impressive is Angelos, who heads the public defender’s office. Perhaps no office in the county gets as intense and thorough look at the law as the public defender. Angelos has been in public service for 32 years and says the people in his office are “the most dedicated people in government.”

We believe Green, Capuzzi and Angelos are a cut above the field and strongly endorse them for the county bench.

The other two seats up for grabs are a much closer call. The good thing is that there are four more strong choices.

Nichols has practiced law for 37 years and currently sits on the county bar association board of directors. He’s practiced both civil and criminal law and has a strong background in legal assistance work, in addition to heading Pennsylvania Civil Law Clinic at Widener University School of Law.

That view is one needed on the bench.

Sally Ann Heckert Bikin flatly says her candidacy is based on a strong sense of patriotism. She also brings another unique perspective to the job, 35 years as a registered nurse and a vast knowledge of the critical health care field, including shifts at a skilled nursing facility.

Fizzano Cannon is a former Middletown commissioner who has served on county council and is a former assistant county solicitor. She’s also been prosecuting attorney for the county Office of Support Enforcement.

Schleigh, a private attorney from Lansdowne, has some unique ideas toward establishment of a veterans court as well as a better foreclosure program to keep struggling families in their homes.

DeMarco is a private attorney from Nether Providence who would like to push reforms in domestic relations cases.

In very close races, we give the nod to Nichols and Bikin for the final two seats on the bench.

Tomorrow: Our choices for three seats on Delaware County Council.