The Tribune-Herald editorial board today offers its recommendations in selected races. Check out wacotrib.com for more on the election. Consider our many stories on all of these races, then make up your own mind.

* U.S. House of Representatives: The editorial board is deeply divided on the race between U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, a reliable consensus-builder peerless in the realm of constituent service for his district, vs. challenger Bill Flores, who vows to help Republicans prune and streamline federal government and curtail runaway spending. Your pick.

* Governor: Rick Perry has occasionally engaged in nonsense, such as his silly talk about secession, but his pro-business attitude and vow to cut state government down to size win our support.

* Lieutenant governor: David Dewhurst is a man well aware of the revenue and spending challenges facing Texas. He has deep insights into those lawmakers who can truly help solve these problems, too.

* Attorney general: Greg Abbott has battled cumbersome federal laws that intrude in the province of state government, including health insurance reform. We appreciate, too, his work to ensure transparency in state and local government, not only for we the news media but for we the people.

* Land commissioner: Jerry Patterson is one of the most efficient commissioners we’ve seen when actually pursuing the duties prescribed by law. He has cleared the way for renewable energy by leasing a quarter-million acres of state land for wind generators and solar power, and has overseen a tripling of funds deposited in the Permanent School Fund.

* Agriculture commissioner: Republican Todd Staples deserves re-election for stances ranging from his efforts to bring broadband Internet service to rural Texas, to his expansion of the “Go Texan” campaign to market Texas agricultural products.

* Texas House, District 56: Charles “Doc” Anderson deserves re-election because of his staunch conservative principles, pro-business stance and readiness to address constituent concerns. If he cannot address his ethical and tax problems once and for all, however, Republicans need to find a better candidate if they’re to truly stand for better government.

* Texas House, District 57: No endorsement. We have some reservations about both candidates.

* McLennan County judge: Jim Lewis’ experience and leadership in handling prickly problems win our nod. We like his approach focusing intently on the long term.

* McLennan County district attorney: No endorsement. We recognize the qualifications of both longtime District Attorney John Segrest and challenger Abel Reyna and leave this to the voters. After the congressional race, this seems to be getting most of the attention from local voters.

* McLennan County Precinct 4 commissioner: Ben Perry is an enormously impressive, articulate and energetic candidate who believes in constituent services, consensus-building and putting aside blame games to instead seek solutions.