Voters in House District 56 have a choice this election between candidates who each have devoted themselves to their communities.

Democrat Anna Blodgett just retired as Augusta's parks director and has served on the city's planning board. Julie Ann O'Brien, while now the executive director of the state Republican Party, previously served several terms in the Legislature, founded and ran the Augusta Children's Museum and is president of the Maine chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

We have no doubt that Blodgett would faithfully represent the district's interests. But with lawmakers in the next legislative session expected to face a huge budget shortfall as well as the simultaneous challenge of lowering taxes, O'Brien is the stronger candidate.

She's committed to reining in government spending and growth, and at the same time -- as an advocate for those with mental illness -- knows well the important role government plays in protecting society's vulnerable members.

We endorse O'Brien for Maine House District 56.