The primary election Sept. 13 will shape Buffalo's legislative body for the next four years. This year there are contests for just four of the nine Common Council seats: Fillmore, Masten, North and University.

The News normally does not endorse in primaries, which are open only to registered party voters. But in heavily Democratic Buffalo, winning the primary generally makes the general election a formality.

The challengers for the four contested seats, many in politics for the first time, deserve credit for stepping up and offering voters a choice. They are, to a person, passionate about their community and determined to make it better. While we are endorsing the four incumbents, we encourage the challengers to remain civic activists and consider running again in four years, better prepared to seek a Council seat.

The four incumbents have shown themselves to be knowledgeable and somewhat effective in serving their constituents. To be fair, this page can point to times when the Council has fallen short of expectations, but this group has, for the most part, shown itself to be dedicated to the city. We would like to see a little less political maneuvering on the Council and in its dealings with Mayor Byron W. Brown, but we recognize that it is a political world.

The challengers should be encouraged to spend more time exploring realistic steps they can take, short of election to the Council, toward their goals for the city. In interviews with The News editorial board, some of the challengers made proposals that tended either to be the job of the executive branch or seemed to lack a clear understanding of the role of a legislator. Electing them now would result in a long learning curve as rookie lawmakers.

The City of Buffalo is moving forward, even in this down economy, with a number of development projects on the waterfront, downtown and throughout neighborhoods. Not everything will proceed smoothly, and the incumbents must push and be pushed. This primary season the push is being provided by the challengers for the four contested seats. Although we deem them not ready to turn out the incumbents, they deserve thanks for keeping the incumbents from becoming complacent. Those four Council members have had to reach out to the voters and explain why they should be returned to office.

The News has chosen to endorse all four incumbents. The editorial board offers its recommendations as one more tool voters can use in reaching their own decisions.

Fillmore District: David A. Franczyk

Franczyk is a longtime Council member and current Council president. He was author of the legislation to downsize the Common Council from 13 members to nine and to cut the body's budget 43 percent and the president's salary by $20,000 to $62,000. Franczyk's legislative record shows him dealing with nitty-gritty basics, such as repairing sidewalks and streets, and bigger issues, such as his push for noise ordinances and curfew legislation.

Challenger Samuel A. Herbert, who has run unsuccessfully for this office and many other offices, continues to wage an admirable war as a community activist against crime and blight with his outspoken convictions. He should, and we're sure he will, continue to hold Francyzk's feet to the fire.

Masten District: Demone A. Smith

Smith, a county legislator turned Council member, is a student of government. He continues to grow in the job, appreciating the nuances and demands on a city legislator's time and energy. Smith sees the direct effect of the Council's decisions on residents, especially in his district with its need for services. Smith says he's working on infrastructure repair to solidify neighborhoods and increase property values and retain more residents. He has his work cut out for him, and we believe he should have another term to do it.

DeMario J. Badger, the challenger in this race, has a bright future ahead of him. He should be encouraged to continue his political and community goals. We hope to see him again in the future.

North District: Joseph Golombek Jr.

Golombek, first elected to the Council in 1999, is familiar to those both in and out of his district for his two unsuccessful runs for the Assembly against Sam Hoyt. As a legislator, Golombek has worked on streets and parks issues and pushes for fiscal responsibility, particularly as it relates to spending the city surplus. Golombek has demonstrated an outspokenness that is often refreshing in the political world. We believe him when he says he will continue fighting for the North District and the entire city.

His opponent, Kenneth J. Phillips, a contractor, has first-hand knowledge of what's broken in the housing stock of his neighborhood and city. Phillips is the definition of passion when talking about his neighborhood. We hope he continues to work to improve the city.

University District: Bonnie E. Russell

Russell, elected eight years ago, is facing her first opposition since then. She believes she still has a lot of work to finish. She says she has the experience and ability to help inform residents on who provides what services and get block club leaders in touch with commissioners, directors and the mayor's office. She's concentrating on housing issues, in particular assisting building inspectors by backing legislation to help them get access to buildings owned by absentee landlords. Russell has a grasp on the details of the job.

Challenger and former Buffalo Board of Education member Pamela D. Cahill is well-meaning in her pursuit of the seat. She should move forward with her community service.

Rochelle A. Ricchiazzi is also running for this seat. She did not respond to numerous efforts by The News to contact her during the endorsement process.