Diane Lawless – Stephanie Spires

In an election cycle where most are focused on federal races, one important choice local voters will have to make is who will have the responsibilities of Lexington’s 3rd District council seat.

Challenger Stephanie Spires is best fit to serve the needs of constituents in the area that is home to UK. Although she has not held elected office before, Spires will operate in a fashion that is more proactive instead of the current reactive state of governing.

The values and outlook she has as UK alumnus, owner of Limelight Promotions LLC, historic conservationist, and a member on Lexington’s Commission on Youth Development and Public Safety qualify her to be an exceptional councilwoman who will complete initiatives beneficial to the growth of UK and downtown Lexington.

Her past involvement with UK’s Office of Student Affairs and her dedication to campus safety, while serving on student-safety boards as a student, have contributed to what is a promising future as an advocate for students’ best interests.

Spires’ experience with community service through her charitable work and her experiences as a foster parent make this the right time to elect her as a fresh, new face to the city council.

During this pivotal time at UK (and in Lexington) it seems she will make smart decisions based on the input of all her constituents to improve safety, housing, neighborhood relations and economic development in the district.

Spires has the energy, enthusiasm, preparation and relevance that will keep her from being too complacent with the job she will have as a public servant.

With the aforementioned qualities and her commitment to have an open-door policy to all people in the 3rd District make her an ideal candidate.

Spires also seems like she will be prudent in her efforts to consider all points of view when action needs to be taken.

Her unique understanding of neighborhood residents and UK employees and students provides a perspective that will allow her to create an atmosphere of compromise, which will be beneficial to both families and students in the community.

Spires’ foresight, knowledge of the issues affecting Lexington, compassion and eagerness to serve others as proven by her record as a state employee and small-business owner, and her consistent relationship with UK make her the best qualified candidate to be the 3rd District’s councilwoman.

Andy Barr – Ben Chandler

Voters in Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District can take one last deep breath and slowly exhale — it is almost over.

The mean-spirited campaign featuring two candidates willing to spend a collective $4 million to disparage one another will be decided Tuesday.

You would think that $4 million in ads would crystalize the crucial public-policy positions espoused by those seeking office.

Both Republican challenger Andy Barr and Democratic incumbent Ben Chandler could have let the electorate know their plans to improve the economy, reduce unemployment or address higher education issues.

Unfortunately, they did not do that.

Instead, we were treated to ads about Barr using a fake ID when he was 19 years old, whether Heath Lovell is or isn’t an actual coal miner and if dressing up as Chandler for Halloween is scary.

The petty negativity and lack of focus on the issues nearly led to a non-endorsement in this race from the Kernel.

Also, independent candidate Randolph Vance is essentially a one-trick pony (legalized hemp) and is not a viable option.

This race is too important to stay on the sidelines, however.

The same two candidates squared off in 2010, with Chandler winning by a mere 648 votes — essentially one vote per precinct.

Recent polls have the two locked in another tight contest.

Despite his misguided campaign efforts, Ben Chandler deserves another term in the U.S. Congress because of his independent moderate voice that best represents this district.

Barr has attempted to characterize Chandler as a “yes” man for President Barack Obama. Chandler has been anything but.

Chandler voted against Obama’s signature piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

He also opposed the president in regard to the bank bailout and the Dodd-Frank financial industry regulations.

Chandler is among the last of a dying breed — a Blue Dog Democrat, a group of moderate Democrats from mostly Southern states.

Chandler has not wavered in his commitment to being moderate in the face of a polarized political landscape.

He supports the president when it is warranted and opposes him when he doesn’t think the interests of the 6th District are being represented.

Chandler is exactly the type of congressman needed in D.C. at this vital juncture. Compromise has been virtually impossible and Kentucky’s two senators have helped create the toxic landscape at the Capitol, so having a proven moderate represent the district is good for both the district and nation.

If voters can shut out the negativity and juvenile behavior strewn across their television long enough to make an informed selection in this hotly contested race it will be clear to them, as it is to the Kernel, that Chandler is the best choice in the 6th District race.

Barack Obama – Mitt Romney

President Barack Obama is the clear choice in this election to keep America on a path to recovery instead of reverting to the failed policies of the Bush administration.

Obama has a better plan for students paying for college.

Obama has grown the federal Pell Grant program during his presidency. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney running mate Paul Ryan’s budget plan would likely limit Pell Grants. These grants are vital in making college affordable for many students.

Unemployment is just under 8 percent, which is much better than the over 9.5 percent peak following the 2008 collapse, meaning more available jobs for recent graduates.

A plan that supports big banks and big business is what caused the Great Recession in the first place, and should be avoided. Jobs are being created, so risking the progress that has been made is not a luxury young people have.

Romney has told young people that if they need a job after graduation to borrow the money from their parents to start a business. That is not a legitimate option for most families struggling in this economy.

Obama has also benefited young voters with his national defense decisions.

Vice President Joe Biden is always quick to point out that “Osama Bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive.” The first part of that statement resonates with all young voters.

Osama bin Laden is the worst enemy the U.S. has faced in most young voters’ lifetimes.

Many of us were kids watching in horror as the video of 9/11 was played for days following the tragedy.

It was Obama who ordered the raid that led to the death of bin Laden. This was a powerful moment for all young people to see the man most wanted and most hated by our generation pay for his attack on innocent Americans.

Obama has also ended combat operations in Iraq and begun withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.

Obama also prevented the collapse of the stock market when he took office.

He also saved the American auto industry by bailing out General Motors and Chrysler.

It is true that the federal stimulus did not do as much as hoped, but it also was not a total failure.

However, Romney is a step backward to the thinking that led to the collapse of the housing markets and the need for a bailout of major banks.

Obama is a step forward and deserves four more years to finish the progress he started.