Our endorsements for state Senate

In the general election, there are seven Senate seats up for grabs on Oahu. Our recommendations:

>> District 9 (Diamond Head-Kahala-Hawaii Kai): This competitive race features two candidates with deep roots in East Honolulu. The similarities end there. As the sole Republican in the 25-member state Senate, the 20-year incumbent, Sam Slom, 74, has been a lonely voice for limited government, lower taxes and budget transparency. His Democratic opponent, lawyer Stanley Chang, 34, is Slom’s ideological opposite. He favors increasing public investment in education and affordable housing; as a Honolulu City Council member from 2011 to 2015, Chang advocated for more spending on road maintenance, and pushed for bans on plastic bags and on smoking in public places. Chang has supported Honolulu’s rail transit system, while Slom does not — a critical difference, since the Legislature likely will be asked to extend the general excise tax surcharge to keep the expensive project rolling.

Chang, who was born in the district, is a capable politician, and we often disagree with Slom. Nonetheless, Slom should be re-elected. A former chief economist for Bank of Hawaii and a champion of small business, Slom is a principled lawmaker who provides a much-needed counterweight to political conformity — necessary for the health of a deliberative body. Some of his Democratic colleagues may hold similar views, but none are as fearless in promoting them as Slom, who is not under the thumb of Senate leadership.

>> District 10 (Moiliili-Kaimuki-Palolo): The incumbent Democrat, Les Ihara, is our choice. He has long been a champion of good government, advocating for electoral reform and transparency, including stronger financial disclosure laws for lawmakers and lobbyists. His opponent is Libertarian Arnold T. Phillips II, an attorney. Among other goals, Phillips wants to build an “innovation economy” to create new jobs in the technology sector, and develop long-range plans to address climate change.

>> District 11 (Manoa-Makiki- Tantalus): This race features the incumbent, Democrat Brian Taniguchi, against Republican Kaui Amsterdam and Libertarian Joe Kent. Taniguchi has been a reliable representative for his constituents; he served in the Legislature for 26 years, and District 11 voters have seen fit to keep him in the Senate since 1994.

>> District 13 (Downtown-Nuuanu-Liliha): As a state representative for 10 years, Karl Rhoads has proven himself as an able policymaker who should move to the Senate. With affordable housing as a critical issue for his constituents, he advanced legislation to save Kukui Gardens and renovate Mayor Wright Homes. He faces Libertarian Harry Ozols, who would hold the line on tax increases and clear barriers to small business growth; and Republican Rod Tam, who famously pleaded guilty to theft and falsification charges stemming from meal reimbursements the former City Councilman received from the city.

>> District 15 (Kalihi-Aliamanu-Salt Lake): Glenn Wakai, the Democratic incumbent, is running against Libertarian Roman Kalinowski. Wakai, who was first elected to the Senate in 2010, has the experience that makes him the clear choice.

>> District 19 (Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point): Community activist Kurt Fevella, a Republican, faces incumbent Democrat Will Espero. Both men are fixtures in the community, but Espero’s ability to navigate the Legislature gives him the edge. Espero has drawn headlines for his efforts to increase police accountability and transparency. Fevella, president of the Ewa Beach Lions Club, wants to tackle street-level concerns: an overcrowded and overheated Campbell High School, the homeless and pedestrian safety. Both candidates oppose an Ige administration plan to raise vehicle weight and gas taxes and registration fees.

>> District 25 (Kailua-Waimanalo-Hawaii Kai): Our choice is incumbent Laura Thielen, who has distinguished herself as a sophisticated, hard-working advocate for her constituents, effectively advancing such issues as environmental protection and open, responsive government. Her opponent, Republican Robert Nagamine, a retired military chaplain, wants to promote policies that strengthen families and children.