Early voting and nearly all of the campaigning are over. Tuesday is Election Day for Texas' Republican and Democratic primaries. Here are the recommendations we've published in selected statewide and North Texas races. (Click on the headline to link to the full editorial.)

The 4th Congressional District needs a new voice in Washington, but the five GOP challengers to incumbent Ralph Hall do not provide credible alternatives. So, despite substantial reservations, we recommend Hall in this GOP primary.

While we haven't always seen eye-to-eye with Republican Rep. Kenny Marchant on such issues as immigration reform and financial bailouts, we respect him as a hard-working, thoughtful lawmaker who deserves another term in U.S. House District 24.

Michael Burgess has a GOP primary opponent for the first time since 2002. His current challenger, stay-at-home dad James Herford of Keller, fails to make a case for unseating the four-term 26th Congressional District incumbent.

U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson has held the District 30 seat for 17 years. The three candidates in the GOP primary say they're undaunted, and we believe Stephen Broden, 57, is the best choice for the district's Republican voters.

We don't agree with him on everything, but U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions is the best candidate in the GOP primary for this Dallas district. And he is far more ready than challenger David Smith, who – get this – believes Washington should be more polarized.

Kay Bailey Hutchison's measured approach to governing would be a welcome change. She is better equipped to build the coalitions that will be needed to balance budgets, curb dropouts, tackle transportation issues and keep Texas on track.

Of Texas Democrats' seven choices, former Houston Mayor Bill White is clearly the strongest. He offers impressive experience and, combined with business-savvy policies, and could offer his party its best chance to win this race since Ann Richards.

Linda Chavez-Thompson's résumé is all organized labor. Ronnie Earle's is steeped in courtroom. Neither skill set is a perfect match for the job they seek - lieutenant governor, the Texas Senate's presiding officer - but Earle is the superior choice.

It's hard to picture cigar-chomping entertainer Kinky Friedman as state agriculture commissioner, but his talent for folksy one-liners could be useful in the important role of promoting Texas farm and ranch products.

Hector Uribe, a South Texas attorney and lobbyist has a refreshingly straightforward approach to politics that helps drive our recommendation of him in the Democratic primary for land commissioner.

With his experience as a geoscientist and lawyer, incumbent Victor Carrillo provides technical expertise on a panel whose members have too often used it as a stepping stone to higher office and is the GOP's best choice in his primary race.

Republicans fortunately have several exemplary candidates in this Texas Supreme Court primary. As voters can chose only one, Rebecca Simmons, a San Antonio appellate court justice, is our pick.

Republican primary voters have two strong candidates running for this seat on the Texas Supreme Court, but we see no reason to turn out the incumbent, Eva Guzman, a 49-year-old former Houston judge.

State Sen. Bob Deuell is tough to beat in the areas of experience, vision and a grasp of a spectrum of issues. His opponent in the March 2 Republican primary for District 2 doesn't come close.

After eight years in the state Legislature, Myra Crownover has proven herself to be a reasoned conservative. Her colleagues trust her with difficult assignments, and we see no reason that GOP primary voters should interrupt that service.

State Rep. Burt Solomons has the right mix of legislative experience and concern for fiscal restraint to satisfy Denton County voters and deserves the Republican nomination to seek re-election in November.

Mabrie Jackson, a former Plano City Council member, is the best choice of three Republicans seeking to succeed Brian McCall in the Texas House, based on her experience, involvement in civic affairs and deep roots in the community.

Eric Johnson argues that the voters in House District 100 should have effective representation in Austin, a go-getter who is both a leader and a person of integrity. He's right, and incumbent Terri Hodge does not meet that bar.

Philosophically, little separates a trio of Republican primary candidates in Texas House District 101. Attorney and former Mesquite council member Greg Noschese appears to be the best choice.

In a match-up of political newcomers, Geoff Bailey deserves the nod over Stefani Carter in the Republican primary for Texas House District 102. Despite his youth, Bailey, 26, displays a better understanding of the key issues confronting Texas.

Irving Democrats have two choices in the March 2 primary for their community's Texas House District 105 seat: (a) Loretta Haldenwang, a well-funded candidate who also has the background to tackle the job or (b) a candidate who comes up short on both counts.

We recommend Thomas Ratliff over incumbent Don McLeroy in the Republican primary for the State Board of Education's District 9. Most important, the Mount Pleasant resident could move this board beyond its culture-war conflicts.

Geraldine "Tincy" Miller occasionally lurches right and sometimes struggles to stay on task. But her focus on academics and her efforts to find a reasonable middle ground make her deserving of another term on the State Board of Education.

More than three years after ascending to Dallas County's top post, Jim Foster still seems to have a tenuous grasp on the intricacies of important issues. Fortunately, Democratic voters will find a strong alternative in Clay Jenkins.

During an eight-year stint on the Dallas City Council, Elba Garcia proved to be an effective consensus builder who earned the respect of constituents and colleagues. After a tumultuous year, the Dallas County Commissioners Court could use her help.

Since his election to the Criminal District Court No. 7 bench, Judge Mike Snipes' portfolio has only grown stronger, and he deserves the Democratic nomination in the March 2 primary.

David Diaz does not lack for enthusiasm or ambition. But despite the well-organized binders detailing his accomplishments, he comes up short in experience and ultimately fails to make the case that Judge Martin Hoffman should be replaced.

A Democratic straight-ticket wave swept through the Dallas County courts in 2006, washing away several good judges. David Kelton was one of them. He is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 134th Civil District Court, and he is the best candidate.

Three candidates for the Democratic nomination for judge of the 203rd Criminal District Court have the experience neededt, but Susan Anderson is ahead on the strength of her job as felony supervisor for the Dallas County Public Defender Service.

David Hanschen brought a creative mind and interesting background to the 254th Family District Court bench, but his inability to follow the law leads us to recommend his challenger in the March 2 Democratic primary, Dallas attorney James B. Martin.

David Lopez saw a problem with the 256th Family District Court, decided he could help and went about fixing it. His success in his first term at improving the court's efficiency is reason enough for Dallas County Democrats to choose him March 2.

Incumbent Mark Stoltz and challenger Manny Alvarez each have solid résumés and experience on a felony court bench. But they have vastly different ideas of the proper role of a judge, and, when it comes to judicial philosophy, we lean toward Stoltz's.

Annie Lesser insists she's the only "real Democrat" in the Democratic primary for the 291st Criminal Court bench. We find political party far less persuasive than judicial bona fides, and on that, Susan Hawk is the far superior candidate.

William A. "Bill" Mazur has proven to be a dedicated, hard-working judge in his first term. County Democrats would be wise to choose him as their nominee for the March 2 primary to face Republican Louis White in November.

Judges should be adept at defusing tense situations, not creating them. For that reason, we recommend incumbent Tracy Holmes over Hiram McBeth III in the Democratic primary for 363rd Criminal District Court.

The performances of Justice of the Peace Thomas G. Jones and Dallas County Constables Derick Evans and Jaime Cortes have been so appalling that the three incumbents don't deserve another term in office.

It's not what first-term Collin County Judge Keith Self is for that causes concern. Rather, it's what he's been against and how he pursues his agenda. That's partly why we recommend his opponent, John Muns, in the March 2 GOP primary.