Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has received an endorsement from one of his predecessors in his bid for a second term.

Republican Bob Stephan served as attorney general from 1979 through 1995. He now chairs the Attorney General’s Senior Consumer Protection Advisory Council.

Schmidt was unopposed in last month’s Republican primary. He faces Democrat and Topeka lawyer A.J. Kotich in November’s general election.

Stephan announced his backing of Schmidt on Wednesday, saying the incumbent has championed new laws to protect consumers against identity theft. Stephan also said Schmidt has acted to toughen penalties against those who commit financial and physical abuse of older Kansans.