Delbert Hosemann has made an impression on the public with some clever TV ads, including one that spoofed at his unique first name.

Hosemann, though, is more than just a comic's foil. He is an intelligent, thoughtful business attorney who would make a fitting successor to Eric Clark as Mississippi's secretary of state.

Clark has been a progressive force in state government, sticking up for the public's interest in the management of public lands and in campaign finance disclosure. He is a person of scruples and integrity, and Hosemann appears to be cut from the same cloth.

The 60-year-old Republican from Jackson pledges to ethically manage 16th Section land to the financial benefit of the public schools. He supports voter identification but wants to do it in such a way as to remove the fear that it is intended to discourage minorities from voting. He has proposed a novel idea of creating a business court, funded by court fees, so as to reduce the terrible backlog that exists in certain jurisdictions around the state.

Hosemann is opposed by Rob Smith, a Richland Realtor who previously served commendably in the Senate for 20 years. Smith is not that far apart ideologically from Hosemann, except on the issue of voter ID, which Smith strenuously opposes.

Mississippi really could not do wrong by either one. But based on his extensive legal background, Hosemann strikes us as the best choice.