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Earlier this month, President Barack Obama drew a massive crowd at Bowie State University, urging Prince George's County Democrats to come out in force to re-elect Gov. Martin O'Malley, who was losing ground in the polls. Democratic leaders feared the low turnout that plagued the primary would continue into the general election.

Partisanship aside, there are significant enough issues at stake in the county that presidential involvement should not be needed to inspire residents to vote.

The county's budget shortfalls (officials estimate a $50 million county deficit next fiscal year), second-highest crime level in the state, low standardized test scores, financially distressed hospital system and highest foreclosure rate in the state are among the many challenges that make turnout critical.

The following candidates in contested races received The Gazette's endorsement for their experience, suggested solutions and ability to address the challenges faced during such during difficult times:

Governor

Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) focused on fiscal responsibility, education, the environment, jobs and public safety during his first term in office — experience that will be sorely needed as the state moves forward.

During his tenure, Ehrlich opposed increases in sales and income taxes and supported legalization of slot machines to create a revenue stream to support an education-funding plan that he endorsed as a way of bringing equitable financial resources to poorer districts. He opened the first-ever public charter school, invested heavily in community colleges and the state's historically black colleges, supported the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act and established a position in his cabinet for people with disabilities.

Ehrlich wants to re-energize the growth of private sector jobs and explore an alternative bus transit system for the Purple Line, linking Metrorail stations in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Comptroller

Incumbent Democrat Peter V. R. Franchot is our choice for comptroller over Republican challenger William H. Campbell.

Franchot wants a top-to-bottom review of state spending to establish clear priorities. He offers an independent voice and a professional, calculated approach.

Congress

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D) of Baltimore and U.S. Reps. Donna Edwards (D-Dist. 4) of Fort Washington, Steny Hoyer (D-Dist. 5) of Mechanicsville and Chris Van Hollen (D-Dist. 8) of Kensington deserve re-election. They have produced results for their districts.

State legislative races

State Senate, District 27

(portions of Prince George's and Calvert counties)

Incumbent Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D) of Chesapeake Beach deserves to continue representing his district, which includes portions of Prince George's and Calvert counties. Miller has been a member of the Senate since 1975 and Senate president since 1987.

Miller has been a strong advocate for school funding, transportation improvements and environmental protections, and he is a powerful voice for the district.

Delegate, District 21

(Laurel, College Park, Beltsville and the far western portion of Anne Arundel County)

Incumbents Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D) of College Park, Ben Barnes (D) of College Park and Barbara Frush (D) of Beltsville have presented a unified front in handling the issues important to their constituents, including stronger protection for domestic-violence victims, homeowners facing foreclosure, the environment and senior citizens.

Delegate, District 23A

(South Laurel, portions of Bowie, Mitchellville, Glenn Dale, Lanham and Seabrook)

Incumbent James Hubbard and Bowie City Councilwoman Geraldine Valentino-Smith bring solid experience.

As assistant majority leader, Hubbard has been on the forefront of addressing unsafe toys in Maryland. Valentino-Smith understands the process in Annapolis, having worked there as a health care lobbyist.

Hubbard and Valentino-Smith are the best choices for the two district seats.

Delegate, District 26

(Forest Heights, Fort Washington and Oxon Hill)

The three Democratic incumbents, Veronica Turner of Camp Springs, Jay Walker of Fort Washington and Kris Valderrama of Fort Washington, should remain in office.

Turner has advocated for seniors and minority businesses. Walker has focused greatly on schools, and Valderrama has helped secure funding for the new Oxon Hill High School.

Delegate, District 27

(Accokeek, Brandywine, Clinton and Eagle Harbor)

Incumbents James E. Proctor Jr. of Accokeek and Joseph F. Vallario Jr. of Upper Marlboro deserve re-election to the two District 27A seats.

Proctor, vice chairman of the House's Appropriations Committee and a former county principal, has a record of securing funding for the district's schools and is an advocate for south county resources.

Vallario, who has served nine terms and chairs the Judiciary Committee, has been a valuable sponsor of victims' rights legislation and better rehabilitation of offenders.

Delegate, District 47

(Bladensburg, Cheverly, Colmar Manor, Landover Hills and Mount Rainier)

Voters choose three representatives in this district, and incumbents Jolene Ivey (D) of Cheverly and Doyle Niemann (D) of Mount Rainier should return for another term.

Third incumbent Victor Ramirez defeated David Harrington for the Senate seat in the primary election and is running unopposed.

Ivey has advocated for better services for seniors and domestic violence victims. Niemann successfully sponsored legislation that provides homeowners at risk of foreclosure with a mediation option, and he continues to push for road funds for municipalities.

Cheverly resident Michael Summers, who has worked as a special assistant and community liaison for Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey, offers the most experience dealing with the government and is the best choice to join the incumbents.

County Council

Prince George's County Councilwoman Ingrid Turner (D) touts two major projects during her first term: construction of the South Bowie library and a new Greenbelt Middle School. Both will greatly improve the district — which includes Bowie, Glenn Dale, Greenbelt, Westchester Park, and parts of Lanham-Seabrook and Upper Marlboro.

Prince George's County school board

District 1

(Northern portion of county, including Beltsville, Laurel and northeast Bowie)

Incumbent Rosalind A. Johnson's leadership and 32-year teaching tenure make her the best candidate. Johnson has been in the forefront of anti-truancy efforts and pushed to prioritize funding for information technology programs. Her opponent, David H. Murray, who was the student member of the state school board last school year, knows the issues but cannot match her experience.

District 2

(Portions of College Park, Greenbelt, Berwyn Heights, Riverdale Park and New Carrollton)

Peggy Higgins' record while serving as the director of community resources for College Park's Youth and Family Services gives her the edge over College Park City Councilman Mark Cook. Higgins' accomplishments have resulted in improved services.

District 3

(Portions of Hyattsville and University Park)

District 3 suffered from a dearth of strong school board candidates, giving incumbent Amber Waller the nod by default. Waller has largely remained in the background on major issues plaguing county schools. However, her community leadership provides her with the experience to do the job.

District 4

(Portions of Bladensburg, Cheverly,

Landover Hills and Glenarden)

Aimee Olivo has been an effective education activist, helping found the community organization Cheverly Advocates for Public Schools. Her parent-friendly approach and new ideas would be a welcome addition to the school board. She deserves to be elected.

District 5

(Bowie and Upper Marlboro)

School board chairwoman Verjeana Jacobs has provided leadership during the harsh economy, consolidated schools to use resources, implemented the pay-for-performance program for teachers and brought board meetings to the community. As a result, she deserves to remain on the school board.

District 6

(Capitol Heights and Seat Pleasant)

Incumbent Pat Fletcher has not been a leader on the school board, but her collaborative approach to tackling school issues and knowledge of education challenges give her a slight edge over her challenger, former parent liaison Carolyn Boston. Boston demonstrates knowledge of school system challenges, but offers no strategy for addressing the problems.

District 7

(District Heights and Morningside)

Henry Armwood, a former parent liaison and PTSA president, understands the importance of parental involvement and school system transparency. He plans to examine supervisory positions and cut redundancies to use the savings for student programs, and make it easier for businesses to donate to schools.

District 8

(Forest Heights and Oxon Hill)

Steven Morris has 35 years of education experience and, for 15 years, ran the Renaissance student-incentive program. His challenger, Edwards P. Burroughs III, a two-term student member of the school board who graduated from high school this year, knows the issues, but Morris brings a broader perspective that gives him the advantage.

District 9

(Portions of Accokeek, Brandywine,

Clinton and Fort Washington)

Donna Hathaway Beck, an at-large board member seeking the District 9 seat under the new nine-district system, should be elected to another term. She has been a good steward of the school budget, a vocal force on the board and an advocate for students in special-needs programs.