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The governor’s race has top billing, but pay attention to the legislative contests as well. The Legislature, even more than the governor, has the power to shape the future of Florida.

Much of that power will remain with incumbents, who are hard to beat. District lines often are drawn to heavily favor one major political party over the other, and credible challengers won’t stand for election in districts where their defeat is all but guaranteed. Those who do come forward often are well-meaning, but way out of their depth.

In competitive districts, an attractive challenger still faces an uphill fight against an incumbent, who has the advantages of name recognition and an established base of support. If the incumbent is doing a good job, it’s hard for a challenger, no matter how qualified, to make a compelling argument for change.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board examined the records and the political stances of the candidates whose names will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot. Many are incumbents. The following are its recommendations for the Florida House of Representatives.

House District 86: Re-elect Mark Pafford

The Sun Sentinel recommends voters in House District 86 return incumbent Democratic Rep. Mark Pafford to the Legislature. Pafford, CEO of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation for the Everglades, has served three terms and has risen steadily in the Democratic leadership. If re-elected, he will be minority leader in the House.

That will be a frustrating job. Pafford would lead a Democratic contingent of 40 or so vastly outnumbered by Republicans. Democrats have no hope of driving the agenda. Like most other Democrats, Pafford would like to expand health care for the poor, scale back school vouchers, end the emphasis on high-stakes testing, take proactive steps to deal with climate change and restore environmental protections the Legislature has dismantled.

That is more than an uphill battle. But Pafford is an articulate advocate of his party’s positions. He notes that if Democrat Charlie Crist replaces Republican Rick Scott as governor, Democrats likely will have leverage to block veto overrides or insist that legislation be changed to avoid a veto.

Pafford does not approach the job solely from a confrontational position. In the last session, he says, “80 percent of the time I was a ‘yes’ vote.” He said part of his job is “to work with the speaker’s office to understand where there may be areas that we can work together.” He cited water issues, which are important to incoming House Speaker Steve Crisafulli.

District 86 includes parts of Wellington, Loxahatchee Groves, Royal Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Greenacres and Haverhill. Pafford’s Republican opponent is educator and political newcomer Stuart Mears. Mears and Pafford are most similar in their wish for the state to delay penalties for students and teachers if the Common Core-related testing regime turns out as badly as expected.

Why should voters choose a Democrat rather than a member of the dominant party? Pafford responds, “Do you want somebody who is going to basically hit the same button that 75 other people are going to hit all the time?”

Mears insists he would not vote in lock step. But it is certain that if he does not, he would have even less influence than a Democratic leader.

Pafford says it is important for a Legislature in which Republicans “have almost a supermajority in both chambers” to at least be exposed to “a diversity of opinion.”

Pafford can provide that, and provide it well.

House District 89: Re-elect Bill Hager

Incumbent Rep. Bill Hager is a mix of doctrinaire Republican, independent-minded reformer and detail-oriented legislator. While we wish he were less doctrinaire, Hager’s other qualities earn him the Sun Sentinel’s endorsement in House District 89, which includes most of coastal Palm Beach County.

Hager’s work on sober houses has been particularly good. Local communities have been alarmed at the growth in these often informal rehab facilities. The federal Americans with Disabilities Act has blocked attempts to regulate them. Hager crafted legislation that threads the constitutional needle by withholding state funding from treatment facilities that do not submit to oversight.

Hager’s bill passed the Florida House but, so far, not the state Senate. In the meantime, Rep. Hager has met with members of the U.S. House, including Democrats Ted Deutch and Lois Frankel, to urge federal action.

With sometimes less than enthusiastic support from fellow Republicans, Hager also has worked to keep tobacco products and e-cigarettes away from kids. He supports same-sex marriage, legalization of medical marijuana and has sought to prohibit gender discrimination.

He waffles a bit on climate change — hinting that natural cycles might be at least as much to blame as human activity — but still says all that can be done should be done. That includes designating money for beach renourishment, which he has done for his district.

He is a vehement supporter of Gov. Rick Scott’s agenda, although like most GOP House members, he fought Scott’s proposal to expand Medicaid.

His Democratic opponent is David Silvers. Silvers says his main issues are improving schools, reforming property insurance and protecting the environment. But, in his interview with the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, he did not offer profound solutions to any of them. He had a poor understanding of the steps the state takes to help F-rated schools, for example. He had trouble articulating his objections to charter schools. Although he accused Hager of missing votes, he did not name a specific vote Hager missed or challenge Hager’s contention that he participated in more than 99 percent of votes.

If Silver were elected, he probably could get up to speed quickly. But even then his overall influence would be limited. Hager has seniority, a willingness to sometimes challenge his party and a commitment to solving the serious local issue of sober houses. Under the circumstances, Hager is the candidate to send to Tallahassee.

House District 92: Re-elect Gwyn Clarke-Reed

Voters in Florida House District 92 have the choice of two quality candidates — one a proven Democratic veteran, the other a promising Republican newcomer.

The Democrat in the race, state Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed, has a considerable edge due to her experience with the legislative process. The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board recommends voters return Clarke-Reed to office for her fourth and final term in the Florida Legislature.

Clarke-Reed, 73, is a conscientious and respected member of the Florida House. She works well with colleagues of both parties. Her experience with the legislative process also is a plus, given that the county’s legislative delegation is losing key representatives due to term limits.

A former teacher and city commissioner of Deerfield Beach, Clarke-Reed has focused on education and social service issues. She’s currently the ranking Democrat on both the Florida House K-12 subcommittee and the Veteran and Military Affairs subcommittee.

Her most notable achievement this year was working with state Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, to pass a new commercial parasailing regulation bill through the Florida House, which Gov. Rick Scott eventually signed into law.

Clarke-Reed is a reliable Democratic vote. She supports the expansion of Medicaid in Florida as provided for by the Affordable Care Act, and also wants the state’s minimum wage raised to $10.10 per hour. She also backs Common Core educational standards in principle, but is concerned that Florida and other states are not prepared to properly implement them.

She views protection of Florida’s water supply as vital to the state’s future and supports the proposed constitutional amendment to fund the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, which would help protect water resources. She also supports the medical marijuana amendment.

Kenny Brighton is the Republican challenger in the race. He has knowledge of the issues and demonstrated commitment through his involvement with non-profit organizations.

Brighton, 29, was born in Virginia but has lived in Deerfield Beach for the last 25 years. He is currently the director of development for Habitat for Humanity of Broward. Clarke-Reed is the better candidate, but Brighton is a promising newcomer who should remain active in politics.

House District 93: Re-elect George Moraitis

Voters in the Florida 93rd House District must choose between two solid candidates: incumbent Republican George Moraitis and Democrat Scott Herman, who is making his second bid for a seat in the Florida Legislature.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board urges voters re-elect Moraitis. He has represented the district well and has a proven record of working with his Broward County legislative colleagues in trying to obtain state resources in the Republican-dominated state Capitol.

The next two years will be crucial for the county legislative delegation in the Florida House. This year the delegation loses a good bit of experience as two key lawmakers — state Reps. Joe Gibbons, D-Hallandale Beach and Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek — face term limits. In a body dominated by Republicans, experienced members, like Moraitis, can only help.

Moraitis, 43, is an attorney who has focused on jobs and economic development. Port Everglades, located at the southern tip of the district, is a major driver of the Broward County economy, and Moraitis is working hard to push forward a port dredging and expansion project.

The Fort Lauderdale Republican is also a strong supporter of beach renourishment efforts, which are vital to maintaining property values and a healthy tourist industry in South Florida.

With the economy on the rebound, Moraitis supports increased education funding. He also supports tax reductions on small businesses, which he believes will spur economic activity.

Moraitis faces Democrat Scott Herman in the November election. Herman, 43, is a disabled veteran living in Oakland Park who ran against state Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation in 2012 as a Republican. He changed political parties because of the Republican Party’s increasingly conservative stands on several social issues, most notably gay marriage.

Herman might be comfortable as a Democrat, but Moraitis is the better fit for the 93rd district. He has the experience and is focused in on issues that will benefit the business interests of his legislative district. On Nov. 4, voters should re-elect Moraitis to another term.

House District 100: Elect Joe Geller

Voters in Florida House District 100 will choose among three candidates to become their new statehouse representative as the incumbent, state Rep. Joseph Gibbons, D-Hallandale Beach, leaves office because of term limits.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board recommends voters elect Democrat Joe Geller, a 60-year-old attorney whose long background in civic issues and politics will be a plus for the district. He would have a short learning curve, and in all probability would rise in legislative prominence quickly.

Geller has a deep understanding of issues facing many of the cities in this coastal district, which stretches from Dania Beach south to Surfside in Miami-Dade County. He was a mayor of North Bay Village and served as an attorney for several cities in Miami-Dade County.

Geller was also a three-term chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party and in that position supported numerous elected officials in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

If elected, Geller would make beach renourishment and property and windstorm insurance rates his priorities. Both are crucial issues that resonate in the district. There are two other candidates in the race: Republican Martin A. Feigenbaum, and Libertarian Omar E. Recuero.

Feigenbaum, 64, has a business and legal background. He has written several treatises on government. This is his first try at elective office and, as a candidate, he needs to polish up on specific issues to help constituents. The hope is he remains active in politics.

Recuero, 31, is an intriguing candidate. He is a driver for Sherwin-Williams and a Libertarian who understands that if his party is ever to emerge as a major political force, its candidates must act constructively within the existing government framework. He is knowledgeable and, to his credit, has sought and received an appointment to a government advisory board in Hollywood. Such positions often serve as stepping-stones to elective office.

House District 103: State Rep. Manny Diaz Jr.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board recommends voters in this Miami-Dade County legislative district re-elect Diaz to another term. The 41 year-old college dean and former state Republican Party committeeman lives in Hialeah, and his conservative brand of politics best fits the district.

Diaz won election to the Florida House in 2012. His most notable achievement occurred this year when he passed legislation that requires school boards to establish professional development and accountability standards for gender-specific elementary, middle and high schools.

The Hialeah Republican won our newspaper’s recommendation largely by default. Diaz did not respond to invitations and inquiries to meet with the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board.

His Democratic opponent, however, did. Benjamin De Yurre, 58, is a colorful candidate who wants to increase funding for public schools, raise the minimum wage and work for equal pay for equal work. He is passionate but is not prepared to take on the responsibilities of a state lawmaker, much less unseat a recognized incumbent in a largely Republican district. The nod goes to Diaz.

House District 105: State Rep. Carlos Trujillo

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board recommends voters re-elect Trujillo to a third term. He is a promising politician who is running on his experience of representing a sprawling legislative district, which runs from Miramar through parts of Miami-Dade County west to Naples.

Trujillo is a 31-year-old attorney living in Miami. He chairs the House Economic Development & Tourism subcommittee and has focused on education and economic issues affecting the state.

The Miami Republican has been a steadfast party-line vote since his first election in 2010. He has worked to cut taxes, strengthen laws against sexual predators and put money back in public schools. He also opposes Medicaid expansion, the land conservation and medical marijuana amendments, and he believes Florida’s judicial branch “has taken too much of an activist role.”

His most notable achievement to date occurred in 2013 as the sponsor of legislation that would allow a simple majority of parents whose children attend a failing school to fix it by either converting the school into a charter school, closing it, reassigning students to better-performing public schools or contracting with an outside organization to run the school. The bill died in the Florida Senate.

At least Trujillo tells you where he stands. The same can’t be said for his Democratic opponent, Carlos Perreia, whose campaign is more like that of a write-in candidate than a viable contender. Voters in this district deserve better than that and should re-elect Trujillo to another term.