A party endorsement can give a candidate a huge boost.

On December 7, the Cuyahoga County Democratic Committee will meet and vote on their choice to be this county’s next prosecutor to replace outgoing Prosecutor Bill Mason.

The group’s endorsement will give the advantage to one person out of a field of five who are vying for the office. An endorsement from the party is important because Cuyahoga County is overwhelmingly Democratic, and the chances of a Republican winning in November are seen as slim.

Whoever wins the Democratic primary, then, is the likely prosecutor.

At this stage, this newspaper is not ready to make any endorsement for prosecutor until we have talked with them about their platforms and how they intend to serve the community at large.

That’s why Black Democrats who are on the Executive Committee need to ask hard and penetrating questions of candidates who seek to become prosecutor.

A party endorsement can give a candidate a huge boost.

In no particular order of importance, the candidates are former Common Pleas Judge Timothy J. McGinty; lawyer James McDonnell, Cleveland City Councilman Kevin Kelley; former Cleveland law director Subodh Chandra; and former Cleveland Municipal Judge and Law Director Robert Triozzi.

Earlier this month, the group appeared before Democrat ward leaders seeking their endorsement.  They opted not to endorse anyone.

That’s why December’s meeting will be crucial in this vital election.

Tough questions need to be asked and frank answers given.

This high profile job is a position of public trust.  It must be treated as such in deliberations and not just party politics as usual.