Legislative endorsements

WHILE 2008 has been a remarkable year in presidential politics, history is repeating closer to home. Once again, few incumbents are facing serious challengers. But there are some competitive races:

For the Senate
In the Middlesex and Worcester District, encompassing an arc of communities from Shirley to Westborough, Democrat James B. Eldridge deserves to be elected to an open seat. Currently a state representative, Eldridge has worked to promote economic development, workforce training, and transportation upgrades. He has also been a strong supporter of bills to protect the environmental and promote energy efficiency.

The Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District is a tougher call. The Republican incumbent, Scott Brown, knows this serpentine district - which stretches from Wayland to Attleboro - far better than Democratic newcomer Sara Orozco does. Beacon Hill benefits from budget skeptics; Brown has been one. But we often disagree with him on social issues. And on some key matters, such as nudging towns into the state's group-insurance system even if employee unions balk, Orozco is more committed to the fiscally responsible course. The Globe endorses Sara Orozco for this seat.

In the Second Suffolk District in Boston, we repeat our endorsement of Sonia Rosa Chang-Díaz, a former schoolteacher who edged out incumbent Dianne Wilkerson in the Democratic primary. Wilkerson is now running a sore-loser sticker campaign, but Chang-Díaz remains the better choice.

For the House
In the North Shore's Fourth Essex District, Republican incumbent Bradford R. Hill is facing a congenial Democratic challenger, but we support Hill for reelection because he is the sort of fiscal conservative and social moderate that appeals to much of his district. In this past term he authored a junior operators law that is helping reduce fatalities and reckless driving amoung teenagers. He is pro-choice and supports gay rights, and though he opposes tax hikes, he wisely warns against Question 1, the reckless scheme to eliminate the income tax.

In her three terms representing parts of six Essex County towns in the 18th Essex District, Democrat Barbara A. L'Italien of Andover has been an effective advocate for children in need of special education and for the elderly. She has worked to keep elders in their homes and out of institutions as much as possible. Especially during tough fiscal times, those vulnerable citizens need her leadership more than ever.

In the race to succeed Patricia Walrath in the House's Third Middlesex District of Hudson, Stow, Maynard, and Bolton, Democrat Kate Hogan shows a grasp of the fiscal challenges facing the state and towns. Unlike her Republican and independent opponents, Hogan favors Governor Patrick's proposal to let municipalities expand their revenue base by taxing meals and lodging.

Residents of the Eighth Middlesex District, including Holliston, Hopkinton, and nearby towns, should fill an open House seat with a thoughtful candidate who doesn't flirt with the foolish notion of eliminating the state income tax. Democrat Carolyn C. Dykema of Holliston earned her stripes on the town planning board and now offers voters straight talk on the need to maintain adequate state funding for local aid and transportation.

In the 13th Middlesex District west of Boston, Democrat Thomas P. Conroy is in a rematch campaign against Republican Susan Pope. In 2000, the Globe endorsed Pope against a different opponent, but Conroy, an innovator and tireless worker, deserves reelection. In one term, he has built a command of Beacon Hill's inner workings, to the benefit of the district. He was the author of a wise provision in the $1 billion life sciences bill to give the state an equity stake in whatever commercial applications come from research conducted with state grants.

Another Republican deserving reelection is the House minority leader, Bradley H. Jones Jr., representing the 20th Middlesex District, whose opponent won a write-in campaign in September. Jones, who compiled a strong record on energy and environmental issues this term, is working with his Senate counterpart to lead the party away from divisive social issues toward a greater, more useful role as fiscal and ethical watchdog.

Another lively race to fill an open seat is underway in Winchester and Stoneham, where Democrat Jason M. Lewis offers voters in the 31st Middlesex a good combination of business experience in the software industry and skills learned on the town finance committee. Lewis would dig for efficiencies during tough times on Beacon Hill without falling into anti-tax traps that gut state aid to local schools. Lewis has included many young people in his campaign, offering a yearlong civics lesson in a district that values education.