No good choice for attorney general

Outside of the governor, the attorney general is the most high-profile -- and, arguably, important -- state constitutional officer. Voters elected Catherine Cortez Masto to the post in 2006, and the incumbent Democrat now seeks re-election against Republican Travis Barrick and Independent American Joel Hansen.

Ms. Masto, a loyal Democratic foot soldier, has refused to join the many state attorneys general across the country who are challenging the most dramatic expansion of federal power in generations by arguing that the ObamaCare "buy-health-insurance-or-else" mandate is unconstitutional. She apparently doesn't feel that protecting Nevadans from an over-wielding federal government is worth the effort.

Ms. Masto also spent long months prosecuting Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki on charges of financial improprieties with the state's college savings fund while he was state treasurer -- charges that were thrown out of court on a motion to dismiss.

Mr. Barrick, who came late to the law at the age of 45, would oppose the growing tentacles of federal regulation into what are traditionally state prerogatives. But, Mr. Barrick, who served time in jail in California 20 years ago as an abortion clinic invader, has little administrative experience, little money and not much of a campaign.

The third candidate, Mr. Hansen, is already active in challenging ObamaCare in federal court as unconstitutional. He additionally vows to challenge the notion that Nevadans need any permit to bear arms; to "support control of Nevada's public lands by Nevada and Nevada citizens"; to "prosecute illegal aliens ... who take away our jobs," and "bring suit against the federal government to recover the millions of dollars Nevada taxpayers have paid for the use of our hospitals and schools by illegal aliens."

While we initially had high hopes for Ms. Masto, she's proved a disappointment. Mr. Barrick is marginally qualified. Joel Hansen, with perhaps the best ideas, is an Independent American with little chance of being elected.

Voters don't have a good choice for attorney general this election cycle. More's the pity.