OUR GOAL FOR ENDORSEMENTS

As Election Day approaches, it is our job to provide analysis and insight for voters

The first Tuesday is November is approaching, and that means it's time again to exercise our civic duties on Election Day. This editorial board will begin publishing candidate endorsements in the subsequent days leading up to the Nov. 6 election. It's a tradition for us to do so with each public election — from local races all the way up to the presidency — and it's a role we wholeheartedly embrace.

From the three races we are considering, we invited all eight candidates to meet with us to interview with the five-member editorial board. In recent weeks, the board has interviewed several candidates — and several more interviews are yet to come.

Only two candidates chose to decline our invitation. (As a policy, we find it impossible to endorse any candidate who chooses not meet with us to discuss issues and platforms.)

Voters throughout Hampton Roads will find on their ballots at least one U.S. House of Representatives race, a U.S. Senate race and two constitutional amendments.

For U.S. Senate, incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine will face Republican Corey Stewart and Libertarian Matt J. Waters. Both Messrs. Stewart and Waters have declined editorial board interviews. Sen. Kaine conducted a joint interview with members of the Daily Press and Virginian-Pilot editorial boards.

Our sister paper, the Pilot, is under the same ownership as the Daily Press, although each publication maintains unique editorial boards. Therefore, each organization will offer its own candidate endorsements based on its own individual criteria.

For the House of Representatives, Democrat Robert C. “Bobby” Scott is the lone incumbent in our area not being challenged, meaning he is the only name to appear for the 3rd District seat.

Incumbent Republican Robert J. Wittman is being challenged by Democrat Vangie Williams in District1. And Republican Scott Taylor will face Democratic challenger Elaine Luria in District 2.

The interviews have so far been informative and lively, and they left the members of our board with difficult decisions on which to form a consensus.

In making our endorsements, we considered the voting records of incumbents, the track records of public officials, the platforms of political newcomers and the potential impact of each election.

In the news pages of the Daily Press, our reporters have objectively covered these races, the candidates' campaigns and the issues driving them.

But on the editorial pages, it is our job to offer informed opinions on issues that affect our region.

We are not telling you how to vote on Nov. 6. That is your decision, but we do feel an obligation to share our analysis.

Because of the role newspapers play in relaying information, we have greater access than most readers have to elected officials and aspiring candidates. We can use that access to hold incumbents accountable for their records and to gain a clearer picture of each candidate's strengths and weaknesses.

For each endorsement we make, we will explain the thought process that led to our ultimate decision. Again, we are not telling you how to vote. But we will make the cases for the candidates we think are best-suited to represent the commonwealth and on our region.

We have no party affiliation, and our choices will be consistent with the principles that guide our opinions on these pages each week.

In general, we are fiscally conservative, favoring prudent government spending and reasonable taxes. We believe the legislature — whether that be at the city or county levels, the Virginia General Assembly or Congress — should not meddle in the private lives of its citizens.

We believe in free markets, and we want to see policies that will help promote business and create jobs in the commonwealth.

In addition to the economy, we believe transportation and education are critical issues facing Virginia and Hampton Roads. The alarming opioid addiction epidemic as well as sea level rise are also issues that we do not foresee abating anytime soon.

For that reason, we are looking for candidates who present the clearest and most feasible visions on how to deal specifically with these issues.

And, of course, we believe citizens should take their voting rights seriously. This year's election is important because each winner will represent a significant number of Virginians.

For that reason, on Nov. 6, you can expect to be reading an editorial on these pages urging you to cast your vote. Between now and then, we will try to provide you with useful information and opinions. Here is the schedule for our endorsements:

Oct. 28: U.S. Senate seat.

Oct. 30: U.S. House of Representatives for District 1and 2.

Nov. 4: Recap of endorsements.

Once again, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. A lot is at stake in our commonwealth. We encourage all of our devoted readers to inform themselves before heading to the polls.