This week's Kentucky primary features a number of contested Northern Kentucky legislative races, a welcome trend that serves the public interest.

Here are our endorsements.

11th Senate District, Republican

The spotlight is on this heated race between incumbent Dick Roeding, Senate president pro tem from Lakeside Park, and intraparty rival Rep. Charlie Walton of Florence, criticized by some party leaders for his surprising challenge of a popular, influential lawmaker. Both have ably served in Frankfort for more than a decade, but we support Dick Roeding in this race.

Walton makes good arguments for fairer education funding and greater clout for Boone County, but those don't add up to a convincing reason for district voters to retire the No. 2 leader in the Senate. Losing Roeding would be a blow to Northern Kentucky.

Shifting political power bases are at play here. Walton's base is in fast-growing Boone County, which dominates the district, while Roeding hails from its Kenton County sliver. That could make things interesting Tuesday. Roeding's legislative record isn't nearly as thin as Walton claims, but he hasn't been as effective in funding issues as his position might suggest. Still, a victorious Walton facing GOP retribution in the legislature might reduce Boone County's clout in Frankfort instead of increasing it. Roeding has collaborated well with both sides of the aisle and moved a lot of bills that end up not having his name on them.

66th House District, Republican

Of the two Republicans in the race to replace Walton in northern Boone County, we endorse attorney Ed Massey, chairman of the Boone County School Board. His opponent, nurse/administrator Addia Wuchner, is the Northern Kentucky health board member who helped lead the unsuccessful push in 2002 to ban contraceptives from Northern Kentucky clinics. She has a record of activity in political, humanitarian and community issues. But the personable, bright Massey has an impressive grasp of education issues, and his experience as a legal advocate puts him in position to help achieve one of the county's key goals - more state support for schools. But he should work to broaden his range of interests in public policy. The two are running an admirably clean, civil campaign that merits praise.

67th House District, Democratic

In this northern Campbell County district, three Democrats are running to replace retiring Rep. Jim Callahan, a longtime House leader. The primary winner will face Republican lawyer Mark Hayden in what could be a close fall race. We think Ken Rechtin is the best choice on the Democratic side. A Fifth Third Bank official, Rechtin is a Campbell County commissioner and former Newport commissioner. He is a key part of the team behind the economic boom in Newport, and he brings an impressive business savvy and a long track record of working collaboratively across party lines. Dennis Keene, a Wilder city councilman and developer, is engaging and sincere, has good knowledge of the legislature's workings and is an expert on various housing issues, having lobbied in Frankfort. But Rechtin has the resources to address a wide range of issues facing the district. Carol Rich, a social worker and Gateway Community and Technical College trustee, speaks passionately on social issues.

61st House District, Republican

This district covering Gallatin, Grant and Owen counties, south of Boone and Kenton counties, is of growing importance to Greater Cincinnati. It's a traditionally rural area experiencing rapid change and growth. Pamela Mann is our choice of the two Republicans vying to face incumbent Royce Adams in the fall. A tobacco/dairy farmer, educator and Grant County's advocate for migrant education, Mann is knowledgeable and articulate on two key issues facing the district - the transition from the tobacco economy and the need for educational resources. Her opponent, engineer and former Marine Marion Ward, is running on issues of tax relief and social conservatism.