All 11 seats in the downsized Erie County Legislature are on the ballot Nov. 8, but there are major-party contests in only seven of them. Endorsements by The News editorial board are intended to aid voters in their own evaluations of those seeking office. Whether you agree or disagree with our recommendations, we urge you to vote and take part in our democratic process.

District 1: Timothy Hogues

Timothy Hogues is a political newcomer who was tapped by Democratic Party officials for the post currently held by Legislature Chairwoman Barbara Miller-Williams, also a Democrat. Party leaders didn't like Miller-Williams' close association with Erie County Executive Chris Collins, a Republican, so they denied her the party's blessing. She is running on the Community First line.

That's not the reason we oppose her candidacy, though. We like independence in legislators. But Miller-Williams, acting in her capacity as chairwoman, insulted and all but ran off Robert Gioia, president of the John R. Oishei Foundation, who had arrived with an offer of $400,000 to help the smaller culturals that Collins was defunding. That was inexcusable conduct, even if, as Miller-Williams says, she was goaded.

Hogues is certainly not a perfect candidate. He should be better informed on some issues and will have a lot of work to do to become familiar with them. But he is a credible candidate. He is passionate about the county's needs and has held a number of supervisory positions in the private sector. He is an ordained deacon at Elim Christian Fellowship, where he leads a Boys to Men Mentoring group. Against a stronger incumbent, Hogues might not gain our endorsement. In this case, though, he is the preferable candidate.

District 4: Kevin Hardwick

This is a race with two strong candidates. Before Republican Kevin Hardwick's election to office two years ago, we had long thought he would make a valuable addition to almost any level of government, given his background and good sense. We still think so, although we'd have preferred to see him more independent of County Executive Chris Collins than he has been. He is diligent, well informed and passionate about the county.

Democrat Jeremy Zellner is running his first campaign, though he is hardly a political newcomer. He has worked in Erie County Democratic headquarters since 2005, the last two years as the organization's executive director.

Hardwick has been doing a creditable job. He supported downsizing the Legislature and is uncertain of the wisdom of creating a taxing district for the library, although he could have been more vocal about that earlier. He has earned a second term.

District 5: Thomas A. Loughran

Incumbent Democrat Thomas A. Loughran once again faces Republican Shelly Schratz. Two years ago, we saw fit to endorse challenger Schratz. At the time, Loughran, who has been elected three times, had failed to prove himself as an independent and strong legislator. Two years hence, he has stepped up. He went out of his way to go against his own party on the issue of downsizing, sponsoring the county's downsizing resolution and leading the debate. He was also a leading voice on UB 2020 for economic development.

Schratz, a former Amherst Town Board member, remains an advocate for the average citizen and worthy of future consideration. But her opponent has worked to prove himself.

District 6: Edward Rath III

Republican Edward Rath III is running for his third term. Besides impressive private-sector credentials, he has continued to work to improve the fiscal standing of the county. Rath is closely aligned with the county executive; still, he is determined to work with both the county executive and Legislature on continuing to improve the fiscal standing of the county.

Challenger Democrat Toni L. Vazquez is staying true to her family's legacy of public service Ô her father is the late community activist William L. Gaiter. She needs to focus on becoming more familiar with community issues.

District 8: Terrence D. McCracken

Terrence D. McCracken, Lancaster Democratic chairman, has been a town employee for 16 years. As general crew chief for parks, recreation and forestry, he is well-versed in community problems. We believe him when he says he wants to work with the people and will do so in a nonpartisan way.

His opponent, former Assemblyman Michael Cole, is attempting to resurrect his political life after the 2007 scandal in which he was censured and stripped of committee assignments after spending the evening on the floor of an adult Assembly intern staff member. He said the incident, which led to his defeat in a Republican primary the following year, has made him a better father, husband and person better equipped to stand for public office.

The seat is now held by Republican Dino Fudoli, who is instead running for Lancaster supervisor.

District 9: Lynne Dixon

Incumbent Lynne Dixon, I-Hamburg, is among the lawmakers who went to court to ward off the transparently political effort by the county's elections commissioners to block the effort to downsize the County Legislature. Judges restored the question to last year's ballot and the downsizing passed with overwhelming public support, by a vote of 83 percent to 17 percent. For that, alone, Dixon would merit strong consideration for re-election.

Less attractive is her devotion to County Executive Chris Collins, though she conducts herself well on the Legislature and seems to have grown in the job.

Her opponent, Democrat Jonathan Gorman, is also an attractive candidate. He is a member of the Hamburg Town Board and describes himself as a fiscal conservative.

Either candidate could serve the district well. We give the edge to Dixon.

District 10: Christina W. Bove

Incumbent Christina W. Bove, a Democrat, has struggled in proving herself as a legislator. She has been accused of being too closely aligned with the county executive, but we believe that she remains, on balance, the better candidate.

Her opponent, Joseph Lorigo, is an attorney with governmental and private practice experience. Down the road, he could be the right candidate for public office.