Republican Les Fossel and Democrat Tim Nason are remarkably similar in biographical terms.

They both moved to Maine from somewhere else. They have both been deeply involved in preserving local history (Fossel as an old house restorer, Nason as chairman of his town's historical society).

They both believe in the need to develop and promote renewable energy.

They both own small businesses and are longtime volunteers in their respective communities.

And both are running for representative in House District 53.

Our endorsement goes to Fossel who, while the more partisan of the two, is also more confident about articulating a vision of what he wants to do in Augusta.

Fossel says he will work to lower taxes and free up resources for needed investment, and his experience as an Alna selectman who worked hard to restrain taxes will help him in that effort.

He wants to ensure that Maine citizens have health insurance, and his experience as a small businessman who has historically paid the full cost of health care for his employees equips him well to work with fellow legislators on that important issue.

Neither candidate appears particularly excited about the prospect of winning the election. Nason told us "politics doesn't really interest me that much," while Fossel's iconoclastic brand of Republicanism likely would set him apart from GOP fellow travelers. And both have about the same level of qualification.

But in the end, someone's going to have to represent the interests of District 53 as the Legislature grapples with both tax reduction and a large budget shortfall, and we believe Les Fossel has the edge on Tim Nason when it comes to experience and appetite for the battles that lie ahead.