The race for the state Senate in District 3 pits veteran legislator Lisa Brown against political newcomer Mike Casey, a dentist. Brown is the only Democrat in the state Senate from Eastern Washington. Last session, she served as the minority leader and would be majority leader if Democrats win control of the Senate.

In recent years, Eastern Washington could also look to Cathy McMorris and Jim West as legislative leaders, but only Brown remains, and we believe she should be re-elected. She has a record of making sure this region’s concerns are met. For example, she helped head off a veto by Gov. Gary Locke that would have cut off funding for the Health Sciences building at Spokane’s Riverpoint campus.

Casey is a staunch conservative. Brown is a classic liberal. Casey wants to energize the economy and create jobs by reining in regulations and keeping taxes low. He supports tort reform to lower malpractice insurance premiums. He is pro-life and anti-gay marriage.

Brown sees improvements in education and health care as key pathways to improving the economy. We disagree with her stances on regulations and other impediments to a healthy business climate. We agree on social issues.

Brown is knowledgeable, hard-working and a proven leader.

In the Position 1 race in the House of Representatives, we think Spokane County prosecutor Dave Stevens, the Republican, makes a compelling case for change. He is stronger on the issues of crime, justice reforms and improving the state’s business climate.

Incumbent Alex Wood says the economy is on the rebound and that the hand-wringing isn’t entirely warranted. He and Stevens agree that the state should expand drug courts and diversion programs, but Stevens demonstrates more knowledge on those issues. Wood has cast reliable votes for Democrats over the years but hasn’t emerged as a leader on tough issues.

Refreshingly, Stevens supports some tenets of tort reform but thinks rigid caps on noneconomic damages in malpractice cases are oversold as a solution to rising health-care costs.

In the Position 2 race, Timm Ormsby, who was appointed to replace Jeff Gombosky last year, gets the nod over Ryan Leonard, who lost to Gombosky in 2002. Ormsby, who is the head of the Spokane Regional Labor Council, displays a greater command of the issues, but neither candidate shines on that score.

Judging from his stances, Leonard would be a reliable Republican vote in the House, but we aren’t confident he could provide a strong voice for regional interests. Ormsby isn’t persuaded that business is hurt by government regulations. We disagree, but his experience and leadership skills tip the scales in his favor.