If you’re among those who know there’s a runoff election on Tuesday, pat yourself on the back. If you actually plan to do something about it, congratulate yourself again.

The only reason people will likely vote Tuesday is if they really care about state government, politics in general or Central Texas. And if they’re undecided, we would prevail on them to choose the sensible conservative among the two candidates and vote for former Waco Mayor and former state Sen. David Sibley.

Sensible is the key word.

Sibley is part of Texas’ old Republican guard, representing a cherished brand of down-to-earth stability and thoughtful conservatism increasingly rare in Austin. Because of his rich experience as a senator, he’ll have no problem transitioning back into state government, securing valuable seniority the day he takes oath and getting to work on serious problems facing our state.

That experience will benefit all of us in Waco and Central Texas who know his reputation for integrity and his zeal in watching out for this oft-overlooked stretch of the state. We should note, too, that in the very best tradition of statesmen, he has put himself forward reluctantly, and only after his onetime protégé, Kip Averitt, decided to retire from the Senate because of poor health.

Sibley’s aggressive opponent, Brian Birdwell of Granbury, voices interesting ideas, but they’re more suited to appeasing crowds than solving problems. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which you might expect to favor Birdwell considering he hails from their neck of the woods, endorsed Sibley partially because of his experience, partially because his ideas aren’t so extreme.

Example: Birdwell’s proposal to replace property taxes with a higher sales tax and an expanded tax on home sales. We hear a lot of talk about gutting property taxes in favor of sales taxes, but we don’t wish to see the sales tax hiked into double digits — and that’s what Birdwell’s proposal might involve. We also decry the further loss of local control this would mean.

Both candidates have significant backers. Former President George W. Bush, former Baylor coach Grant Teaff and even prominent Democrat and local philanthropist Bernard Rapoport back Sibley; Birdwell has support from former Ala. Gov. Mike Huckabee.

In the end, our concern boils down to experience and knowledge. Birdwell has a great biography, including surviving the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. But the issues facing Texas — including an $18 billion budget shortfall and the always volatile business of redistricting — mean this is no time for amateurs.

This may prove a tight race. We strongly urge you to vote for David Sibley.