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OPINION

EDITORIAL: A recap of our 2015 endorsements

Morris County Freeholder — The surviving Republicans from an internecine primary war represent a split ticket — moderate incumbent John Cesaro, his primary running mate Christine Myers, and Deborah Smith, who joined the conservative team led by incumbents John Krickus and David Scapicchio and made it through as the top vote getter.

For Democrats, Brendan Keating of Chatham is the most serious of three challengers — Webster Lewin and David Escobar are also on the ballot — and a quality option. His views line up well with the Cesaro side of the freeholder factions, and he could boost the moderates’ voice as the lone Dem on the board. PICKS: Cesaro, Smith and Keating.

21st District — Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick is among the strongest of Trenton’s GOP voices, and a sensible one. We’d like to see him with a leading role if Republicans can seize more power. His running mate, incumbent Nancy Munoz, plays more of a loyal party soldier role. The Democratic challengers are good ones — Jill LaZare of Summit and Springfield Mayor David Barnett, but both seem a bit too spending-happy for the current New Jersey landscape. PICKS: Bramnick and Munoz.

24th District — Parker Space is the incumbent seeking re-election, joined on the Republican side by Sussex County Freeholder Gail Phoebus. They’re small business owners — Space a zoo, Phoebus a golf course — with conservative sensibilities that reflect the district majority. But quality challengers in districts presumed to be safe for incumbent parties can be hard to find, and voters should be quick to support those that do come along. Democrats Michael Grace and Jacqueline Stapel have a detailed plan to reduce property taxes — with the creation of an Education Trust Fund — and are sensitive to the specific challenges and needs of a rural district. PICKS: Grace and Stapel

25th District — Incumbent Republicans Anthony Bucco and Michael Patrick Carroll are a ballot team, but there’s some real separation here. Bucco’s an easy pick. He’s a highly visible legislator across the district, and has helped line up several bills aimed at property-tax reduction that continue to be blocked by Democrats. Carroll’s more outspoken and extreme, but he speaks with a voice the district has embraced for years. We’re fine with that, as long as it doesn’t become the dominant voice.

Richard Corcoran and Tom Moran are the Democrats on the ballot. Corcoran’s the better of the two, with a bottom-line accountant’s way of looking at problems. But neither seems quite ready for the job. PICKS: Bucco and Carroll

27th District — There’s an intriguing pair of Republican challengers — Tayfun Selen and Q Rim —who deserve consideration. Rim in particular seems like a potential future star, but there’s an air of mystery and misdirection in his campaign that we don’t entirely trust. Incumbents John McKeon and Mila Jasey have carved out some leadership roles in environment and education respectively, and those voices are needed in Trenton. PICKS: McKeon and Jasey