editorials

28: JOHN HOWE

Voters in the state Senate district that touches the southeast metro fringe are used to seasoned legislative representation. District 28's legislative alumni will soon include DFL Sen. Steve Murphy, who is stepping down after 18 years in office.

The district stands to maintain strong influence at the Capitol if it chooses Red Wing Mayor John Howe to succeed Murphy. Republican Howe is much better prepared than his DFL opponent, recent law school graduate Joe Fricke, also of Red Wing, to tackle the complex problems ahead for state government.

Carlson, 63, is opposed by another dedicated public servant, recently retired Army Reserve Lt. Col. Ted Daley, 44. Daley offers strong credentials -- West Point grad; University of St. Thomas MBA; Gulf and Iraq war veteran -- but doesn't exhibit solid grasp of state issues. He's got potential to grow into the job -- but Carlson is already doing the job well.

43: TERRI BONOFF

West-suburban District 43 got top-notch representation in the 2005 special election that sent Terri Bonoff to the state Senate. The independent-minded DFLer has been a leading voice in her caucus for education reform and cost-saving changes in government organization.

Her support for both business and labor interests has made her one of the few legislators endorsed this year by both labor unions and the state and local chambers of commerce. She's staked out a moderate position on tax and spending policy, preferring to boost state revenues with a broader sales tax base rather than an income tax increase. That puts her in a potentially influential spot if partisan control at the Capitol stays divided.

A former business executive, Bonoff, 53, is an easy choice over Republican challenger Norann Dillon. A school volunteer and advocate for adoptive and foster families, Dillon, 39, lacks the breadth of experience that Bonoff brings to the office. Dillon relies on conservative boilerplate to critique state government, but offers ill-informed anecdotes to describe the changes she wants to see.

56: KATHY SALTZMAN

Woodbury and its east-suburban environs are witness to what are arguably the year's hottest legislative contests, as Republicans strive to reclaim what historically had been their turf from DFLers elected in 2006 and 2008.

The difficulty for Republican candidate Ted Lillie is that DFL Sen. Kathy Saltzman has had an outstanding first term. Lillie, 53, co-owner and co-publisher of Lillie Suburban Newspapers, is a community activist, well qualified for legislative service. But he does not make a good case for replacing a smart, hard-working incumbent who seems destined for a leading role at the Capitol.

Like Bonoff (see above), Saltzman, 55, brings a needed pro-business voice to the Senate DFL caucus, sponsoring tax credit legislation to spur investment in start-up businesses. A former school lobbyist, she has been a reform-minded lawmaker, sponsoring bipartisan bills to improve student literacy, ease the way for alternative paths to teacher licensure, and increase charter school accountability. She was the Minnesota School Boards Association's 2009 legislator of the year.

It's worth noting that in what may be an unprecedented move, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce endorsed both Saltzman and Lillie. That speaks to the quality of both candidates. But "both" isn't an option on the Nov. 2 ballot. Voters should keep the good legislator they've got.