Why vote?

Why, indeed? Vote, so you can have an influence on the type of people who sit in the governor's office, who make decisions for you in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives and Tennessee General Assembly, who represent your district on the Hamilton County Commission, who represent you and and your children on the Hamilton County Board of Education, and who uphold justice in the halls of the Hamilton County Courthouse.

We should all want the best people in these positions, and it's up to us -- with our votes -- to make sure we get them. Don't miss out on your chance to make a difference.

In contested races in today's general election and Republican primary, the Chattanooga Free Press recommends:

U.S. Congress

If the last month has proven anything about the 3rd District GOP primary candidates, it is that incumbent Rep. Chuck Fleischmann doesn't believe his record is solid enough to run on. So, instead, he has tried to trash challenger Weston Wamp with a sickening litany of lies, half-truths and innuendos unbecoming of anyone running for public office.

We believe Wamp will offer a reliably conservative voting record in Washington, D.C., but also an ability to attract a new generation of voters to the party and an openness that at least fosters dialogue with all members of Congress to see where, if anywhere, there is agreement on issues important to the American people.

U.S. Senate

Incumbent Sen. Lamar Alexander is not a jimmy-come-lately to Tennessee and conservative values. As governor, as University of Tennessee president, as U.S. education secretary and as senator, he has tried to do the right thing by his native state. He is a leader in his party with solid Volunteer State values and a pragmatic senator who understands big issues are not solved with simple platitudes. We endorse his election to a third term.

Governor

Bill Haslam has a solid track record of moving Tennessee ahead on the education front and in securing new jobs for the state. We urge his re-election and continued work on finding the right health-care solutions for state residents who fall through the cracks.

State Representative

In District 27, we admire both Tommy Crangle and Patsy Hazlewood, but we believe Hazlewood's recent experience as regional director for the Tennessee Department of Economic Development and her wide circle of civic and community connections will serve her better in the General Assembly.

County Commission

We endorse the elections of Randy Fairbanks (District 1), Joe Graham (District 6), Sabrena Turner (District 7), Kenny Smith (District 8) and Chester Bankston (District 9) to give the body conservative fiscal leadership and the understanding that economic development and better education opportunities are key to the county's continued growth and success.

Board of Education

Nineteen dedicated Hamilton County residents stepped up to run for the job of shepherding area public schools, and the electorate is fortunate a solid majority of the candidates would make good school board members. In the various district races, however, we recommend Greg Martin (District 3), Patrick Hampton (District 5), Ballard Scearce (District 6), David Testerman (District 8) and Steve Highlander (District 9).

Judiciary

We believe incumbent judges Christie Mahn Sell (General Sessions Court), Rob Philyaw (Juvenile Court) and incumbent Criminal Court Clerk Gwen Tidwell deserve hearty re-elections. In the public defender's race, while we personally admire incumbent Ardena Garth, we believe that office needs new energy and direction and thus gladly endorse challenger Steve Smith.