To help our readers make informed decisions, this newspaper has profiled the candidates for contested state and county races and today the Call makes the following endorsements for the Tuesday, Aug. 3, primary elections:

85th District

Two candidates are vying for the Re-publican nomination to the 85th District Missouri House seat.

Cloria Brown of Lemay and Albert Faulstich Jr. of Concord are seeking the Republican nod in the primary election. The primary winner will face Democrat Vicki Lorenz Englund in the Nov. 2 general election.

Two years ago, Brown unsuccessfully challenged Englund for the 85th District seat.

Of the two Republican candidates, we believe Brown has the best grasp of the issues facing district residents in these trying economic times. Therefore, the Call endorses Brown.

97th District

A total of seven candidates — three Democrats and four Republicans — are looking to fill the 97th District Missouri House seat being vacated by Rep. Walt Bivins, R-Oakville, who is unable to seek re-election due to term limits.

Democrats Jim Barrett of Concord, Jan Polizzi of Concord and Rudy Pulido of Oakville are seeking their party’s nod in the primary election.

While all three are impressive candidates who would serve residents well, we believe Barrett possesses a fresh, common-sense perspective that’s lacking in Jefferson City today. Therefore, the Call endorses Barrett.

Republicans Chris Brown of Concord, Gary Fuhr of Concord, Jerry Little of Concord and William “Bill” Zobrist of Oakville are vying for their party’s nod in Tuesday’s primary election.

As with the Democrats in this race, we believe that district residents would be well served by any of these four impressive Republican candidates. But of the four, we believe Fuhr has the best vision of the type of leadership the district needs in Jefferson City. Therefore, the Call endorses Fuhr.

County Executive

Perennial candidate Ron Levy of Affon is challenging incumbent County Executive Charlie Dooley in Tues-day’s Democratic primary election.

Levy previously has sought election to the Missouri House as a Republican and a Libertarian.

Of the two candidates, Dooley without a doubt is the best qualified to represent his party in the November election. Therefore, the Call endorses Dooley.

Republicans Bill Corrigan and Nick Farace are seeking their party’s nomination in Tuesday’s primary. Of the two candidates, Corrigan most certainly is the best qualified to represent his party in the November election. Therefore, the Call endorses Corrigan.

Proposition 2

County voters next week will consider Proposition 2, a county charter amendment that would make the county assessor an elective office.

Prop 2 asks, “Shall the Charter of St. Louis County be amended by providing for the election of the St. Louis County assessor, as set forth in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 24,382 on file with the St. Louis County administrative director and the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners?”

A simple majority is required for approval.

In May, Dooley called for the County Council to place this proposition on the ballot after years of voicing opposition to the notion of an elected assessor.

Interestingly — and perhaps not coincidentally — Dooley’s likely opponent in the November election, Corrigan, raised this issue when he launched his campaign in June 2009, saying he supported placing the issue of an elected assessor before voters so the position is “accountable to the public, by the public.”

We question Dooley’s change of heart on this issue, but nonetheless urge voters to cast their ballot in favor of Proposition 2 next week.