With the Nov. 2 election looming, the Call begins making its endorsements this week.

Missouri House District 85

Republican Cloria Brown is challenging Democratic incumbent Vicki Lorenz Englund for the 85th District Missouri House seat.

Brown, who defeated Albert Faulstich Jr. in the Republican primary in August, unsuccessfully challenged Englund two years ago for the 85th District seat. Both candidates are impressive and up to the challenge of providing effective representation to District 85 citizens, but given some of the votes and stances Englund has taken over the past two years, we believe she merits re-election. Therefore, the Call endorses Englund.

Missouri House District 96

Democrat Scott Sifton and Republican Anthony “Tony” Leech are vying for the District 96 Missouri House seat being vacated by Democrat Pat Yaeger. Yaeger, first elected in 2002, is ineligible to run because of term limits.

Leech did not respond to a Call questionnaire, so we have no clue as to where he stands on the issues. Though we don’t agree with Sifton on all of the issues, we believe he is well-qualified to serve District 96 residents. Therefore, the Call endorses Sifton.

Missouri House District 97

Democrat Jan Polizzi, Republican Gary B. Fuhr and Constitution Party candidate Daniel P. Fitzhenry are vying for the 97th District Missouri House seat being vacated by Rep. Walt Bivins, R-Oakville. Bivins, first elected in 2002, cannot run again because of term limits.

Of the three candidates, Polizzi and Fuhr are eminently qualified to serve in the Missouri House. Of the two, we believe Fuhr is the best choice to represent the citizens of the 97th District. Therefore, the Call endorses Fuhr.

Missouri House District 100

Three candidates are vying for the District 100 Missouri House seat currently held by Rep. Sue Schoemehl, D-Oakville. Schoemehl, who was elected to the Missouri House in 2002, cannot run again due to term limits.

Republican Marsha Haefner, Constitution Party candidate Randall “Randy” Lewis and Democrat Andrew Spavale are vying for the District 100 seat. Of the three candidates, Haefner and Spavale are the most impressive.

Of the two, we believe Haefner’s views are more in line with what this area and state need at this time, particularly with regard to the state’s Open Meetings and Records Law. Therefore, the Call endorses Haefner.