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A compilation of our endorsements for the 2009 general election:

Creigh Deeds for governor
The longtime senator is the candidate for governor who is serious about the most pressing issue facing Virginia: transportation.
If the campaign to become Virginia's next governor is about which candidate is more articulate and slick, then Republican Bob McDonnell is the clear choice. If the campaign is about who would better govern the state and face the extremely difficult choices the commonwealth must confront, then Democrat Creigh Deeds becomes the frontrunner. He is better prepared to position Virginia to meet the challenges of the future. Read more.

Wagner for lt. governor
The Democratic candidate can bring a trove of useful knowledge and experience to the job.
Voters merely following the negative ad war in Virginia's lieutenant governor's race are missing the real picture: The lesser-known candidate, Democrat Jody Wagner, is by far the stronger choice. We endorse her over Republican incumbent Bill Bolling, who, having spent his term waiting in line to run for governor, was outfoxed for this year's top spot on the GOP ticket and is looking for another four-year place-holder.
Read more.

Shannon for attorney general
The Fairfax delegate promises legal leadership free from ideology, unlike his opponent.
When Virginians choose their next attorney general on Nov. 3, they will either continue the levelheaded, no-nonsense approach preferred by most previous holders of that office or install an ideological firebrand who would impose his radical morality on the commonwealth. We recommend they select the former in Steve Shannon. Read more.

Carter Turner for the 8th
Voters could do the state a favor by removing a huge obstacle to solving the transportation crisis.
Voters in Virginia's 8th House District can strike a blow for the state's economic future Nov. 3 by turning House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith out of office, removing one giant obstacle to a rational transportation funding plan. Democrat Carter Turner, a political newcomer, offers a credible choice as a recently energized community activist open to finding a bipartisan solution to Virginia's transportation crisis. One that involves actual money.
Read more.

Peggy Frank in the 7th
Incumbent Del. Dave Nutter's moderate glow has faded.
Two years ago we endorsed Republican Del. David Nutter over Democrat Peggy Frank in the 7th House of Delegates District. In this year's rematch, Frank is the more compelling candidate. The 7th District includes the southern half of Montgomery County, Radford and Southeast Pulaski County. In 2004, Nutter earned a reputation as a moderate lawmaker when he broke party ranks and supported a tax increase to salvage the state budget. Nutter has ridden that reputation to re-election twice, but he no longer is the moderate problem-solver he once was.
Read more.

Gwen Mason in the 17th
While the Roanoke City Council member has experience with a budget-cutting ax, she's realistic about the need for transportation revenue.
Roanoke Valley voters in the 17th House District must choose between two markedly different candidates trying to claim the moderate middle ground in a fight for an open seat created when Del. William Fralin decided not to run. Only one, Democrat Gwen Mason, makes a credible case. We endorse her for delegate to represent parts of Roanoke and of Roanoke and Botetourt counties.
Read more.

Ware's the better choice in the 11th
Ware leaves his party and voters underwhelmed, but his opponent offers no credible choice.
Onzlee Ware isn't the type of delegate to draw attention, except at election time. He has distanced some members of his own Democratic Party for reasons that appear to have more to do with personality than any specified shortcomings in office. So it went again this year. Ware breezed past a primary challenger but not before being bruised by allegations that his campaign finance reports were irregular. Read more.

Keep a strong board in Roanoke County
GOP incumbents Flora and Altizer, plus Democrat Goodman, for supervisors; challenger Peters for the school board.
Challengers in this year's three Roanoke County supervisors races cite the soon-to-open multigenerational recreation center at Interstates 81 and 581 to argue that the county needs fresh leadership. We disagree. The board has a solid record in creating and maintaining the infrastructure the county needs for its urban, suburban, rural mix. Incumbent Republicans Richard Flora, in the Hollins District, and Mike Altizer, in the Vinton District, have our endorsement. Read more.

Austin and Sullivan in Botetourt
The incumbents in Botetourt's contested races earn another term.
Voters in Botetourt County's Buchanan District have excellent representation on both the board of supervisors and the school board. We recommend they return to office both incumbents, Supervisor Terry Austin and school board member Kathy Graham Sullivan. Both are seeking a fourth term in office. They have well earned it.
Read more.

Return Putney in the 19th
Del. Putney's grasp of the state budget and function puts him far ahead of his challengers.
After 47 years in the House of Delegates, independent Lacey Putney is an elite power broker capable of forging important and complex financial agreements. His skills will be in demand in the General Assembly as Virginia navigates through the remainder of the recession. At 81, Putney says he's up to the task ahead, and there is no cause to doubt him. Read more.

Vote for Pratt in the 6th
The former dentist will better server the district.
In Virginia's 6th House District, we recommend voters choose Carole Pratt to be their new delegate. The district includes all of Bland County plus parts of Wythe, Pulaski, Giles and Tazewell counties. Incumbent Republican Anne Crockett-Stark has represented the district for four years. She is the sort of lawmaker who focuses on constituent services. She might be less wonkish than many, but we have rarely seen a legislator more devoted to her people. If someone in her district has a problem, she gets to work on it immediately and finds answers.
Read more.

Brian Keenum for Roanoke sheriff
Sheriff Johnson has an indefensible record. Keenum has the experience, vision and temperament to do the job right.
Roanoke's residents have a clear choice in the three-way race for city sheriff. Brian Keenum has the experience, the intelligence and the vision to lead the office.
Read more.

Four for Blacksburg Town Council
Anderson, Sutphin, Newcomb and Bush are the best of nine (plus one) candidates.
Blacksburg faces a defining moment. On Nov. 3, four of town council's seven seats are up for grabs, and nine candidates seek voters' support. The candidates have staked out a range of positions on the issues confronting the town. If a coherent group of them emerges victorious, they would instantly have a majority and could implement their vision. Read more.

Montgomery County School Board endorsements
One clear choice, one muddled race and a blank ballot in the third one.
Voters in three Montgomery County districts will choose school board representatives in November. We recently met with candidates in two of the three races and offer our recommendations below. No candidates filed to run in the third race. Read more.

Move Christiansburg council elections
November town council elections would save money and increase participation.
Christiansburg voters have two chief reasons to move their town council elections to Novembers of odd-numbered years, and they are very good ones. The first reason is financial. The town now holds council elections in May of even-numbered years. Because that race usually is the only thing on the ballot, the town pays about $5,000 each time. If the election were held in November, it could piggyback for free on a ballot that already features several other races, most notably for the General Assembly and statewide races. The council race would remain nonpartisan. Read more.