Democrat Steve Bullock and Republican Tim Fox both are strong candidates for the office of Montana attorney general, although with different strengths.

Fox has more years of legal experience, but Bullock has experience as an assistant attorney general -- the most relevant experience of all.

That's why we're endorsing Bullock, a candidate who has represented the people of Montana before the Montana Supreme Court about three times as often as his opponent, has handled a great variety of legal issues for the Justice Department and in private practice, and has prepared attorney general's opinions that have the force of law unless overturned by the courts.

We also were disappointed to see that a recent television ad for Fox, who had told us he wouldn't run a partisan campaign for what is essentially a nonpartisan office. The ad was worded in such a way as to falsely imply that Bullock was from out of state, did not back Second Amendment right, and is against the death penalty.

Bullock and Fox have been on the same page regarding such issues as child protection and abuse of prescription drugs. Fox has made a big deal out of his support for gun rights. Bullock also backs gun rights, while pointing out that an attorney general will have far more on his plate than Second Amendment issues, which after all have been upheld recently by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In his 21 years as a lawyer, Fox has held numerous jobs representing banks, insurance companies and mining concerns, has spent a year representing indigent people accused of misdemeanors in Billings, and has been a lawyer for the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Bullock spent four years as an assistant attorney general in Montana, and also has worked for large East Coast law firms before leaving them to return to his home state. When he was a private attorney, Bullock's clients included a group of Montana cities wanting to buy NorthWestern Energy. He also has led a successful campaign to raise the minimum wage in Montana. He has been licensed to practice law for 14 years.

While at the Justice Department, Bullock has been involved in diverse issues, including stream access, antitrust regulation, election laws and telemarketing fraud, and he has represented clients ranging from local governments, individuals and businesses to consumer organizations and labor unions.

We think Bullock has the right background to move up to the job of Montana's attorney general.