The November 4 election is an unusual one, to say the least. The nation is in a long, difficult war it should never have begun. Health care, education, energy, and climate change pose enormous challenges. The country and the State of New York are under severe financial stress.

In the midst of this, the country will change presidents. And for New Yorkers, important seats are on the ballot for Congress and the state legislature. In all those races, this election comes with additional issues. One is whether it matters who is elected to the State Senate and Assembly. New York's state government is famously dysfunctional, and few legislators have shown a willingness to reform it.

We were tempted not to endorse any candidates for the legislature this year. But we think two non-incumbent candidates for the Senate show the determination and the independence to push for substantive change.

The other issue, at the state level and nationally, is whether one political party should control all branches of government. That's definitely a concern. But for us, the need for new direction overrides it. And in the selected races in which we're making endorsements - three in Congress, two in the State Senate - Democratic candidates offer better hope.

Congress, 25th District

Dan Maffei

This is a three-way race with an attractive Green Populist candidate, Howie Hawkins, whose stand on issues like universal, single-payer health care are consistent with our own. But either Democrat Dan Maffei or Republican Dale Sweetland will succeed Republican Jim Walsh, who is retiring. On some issues, Sweetland has thoughtful ideas. He emphasizes the need for economic support in Afghanistan, for instance. But given Maffei's stands on the crucial issues - among them, the importance of diplomacy - we think he would help move this country in the right direction, rather than holding it back. And he has a good vision for how the nation might address its economic and energy challenges.

Congress, 26th District

Alice Kryzan

Alice Kryzan is a political newcomer who surprised many politicians and observers by winning the Democratic primary in September. She and Republican Chris Lee are vying for the open seat being vacated by Republican powerhouse Tom Reynolds. Lee, a conservative businessman with a degree in economics, is sticking closely to his party's positions, on domestic oil drilling, the Bush tax cuts, the war in Iraq. Kryzan is smart and capable, and her progressive stands, her energy, her independence, and her background in environmental law make her a strong candidate and would make her a strong representative for Western New York.

Congress, 28th District

Louise Slaughter

Hard-working, creative, bright, and progressive to the tips of her toes: Louise Slaughter has represented her Upstate New York district superbly in her two decades in the House of Representatives. Thanks to her service and political skills, she has become one of the most influential members of the House. Her Republican opponent, accountant David Crimmen, is apparently doing little campaigning and offers no convincing reason to unseat Slaughter.

Congress, 29th District

Eric Massa

Democrat Eric Massa impressed many people when he campaigned for this seat two years ago, losing in a close election to incumbent Randy Kuhl. Massa continues to impress us, and his progressive stands on energy, Iraq, health care, Social Security, and stem-cell research are in line with what the country needs. He is aggressive and passionate and has a solid, common-sense command of the issues. Kuhl, a consistent conservative, is a hard worker. But he has been a strong supporter of President Bush. And he has dismayed us with his continued championing of offshore drilling as a quick fix. He insists that new drilling could get oil to consumers "tomorrow, practically," when experts say it would take at least seven years to get the new oil flowing - and the amount is so small that it would do little to help the nation meet its energy needs.

State Senate, 55th District

David Nachbar

Republican incumbent Jim Alesi has been a good friend to the Rochester area, bringing important state money to important local projects - among them, the Rochester International Jazz Festival and the arts-center expansion at Nazareth College. But his stand on key issues runs counter to what we believe the state needs. He was a sponsor of the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act in the Senate, for instance. Democrat David Nachbar, a former Bausch and Lomb executive, is a bright, progressive candidate who supports abortion rights and gay rights and has thoughtful ideas on such issues as property taxes and economic development.

State Senate, 56th District

Rick Dollinger

What do I have to do, incumbent Joe Robach asked us, to get City's endorsement? Robach has been a dedicated, tireless public servant - and a diligent, effective provider of state money for Rochester. Say what you will about pork, in a climate like Upstate New York's, state funding is crucial for non-profits. Our differences with Robach are on issues. He opposes abortion rights (with some exceptions), favors the death penalty, and voted against a state law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Democrat Rick Dollinger is a solid progressive who impressed us when he held this seat from 1992 to 2002 - and not just on these litmus-test issues. He is a smart, thoughtful student of government who would provide an important voice, for the district and the state, in a time of enormous challenges.

About the County Clerk

This is a race that shouldn't be on the ballot. County clerk is an important administrative position in which politics should have no role. But traditionally in Monroe County, both Democrats and Republicans have used it for patronage or as a way for aspiring politicians to get exposure on their way to another position.

Despite that, clerks have often run their offices professionally and efficiently. That seems to be the case with the incumbent, Republican Cheryl Dinolfo. When we talked with people who use the services of her office, they praised her.

Dinolfo raised concerns for us when she mixed politics and service, jumping into the controversy over Eliot Spitzer's plan to let undocumented immigrants have driver's licenses. Reasonable people can disagree about the Spitzer plan, but the opposition of New York's Republican clerks, led by Dinolfo, smacked too much of partisan politics. Dinolfo has also caused concern with her response to a serious problem: including Social Security numbers when some documents were posted online.

Dinolfo's opponent, Democrat Tom Hasman, has an unusual background for this job: experience in information-technology security, records management, and administration - including several years in the White House during the Clinton administration. But his answers to questions about the job are sometimes naïve, and on the whole, Dinolfo's record is a good one.

In this race, we're withholding an endorsement.