Nearing a vote; Candidates' fates rest with voters.

• Position: EDITORIAL - Editorial

COLUMN: IN OUR OPINION

After months of campaigning, much ink, hours of debates, and thousands of knocks on doors and calls to voters, campaign 2010 is nearly at its end. In just 48 hours, voters will head to the polls to choose Massachusetts' next governor, several statewide offices, members of Congress, the state Legislature, and the fate of three much-discussed ballot questions.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have offered our endorsements for various offices, as well as our recommendations on the ballot questions. Taken together, our choices present a balanced group of candidates and positions that are designed to correct the heavily Democrat imbalance that exists on Beacon Hill. Our choices include thoughtful legislators and citizens who we believe have the right combination of experience, practicality, new ideas, and people skills needed to put the state and the nation on a more hopeful course.

Below we offer a recap of our recommendations for Election Day. Ultimately, of course, the fate of the candidates and ballot questions belongs to all of you, the voters of Central Massachusetts. Yours are the only votes that count, and the road to improving Massachusetts begins at the ballot box. We urge all eligible voters to take the time to study the choices before them and to cast their ballots proudly on Tuesday.

The T&G recommends the following candidates in contested races:

Governor & Lieutenant Governor: Charles Baker & Richard Tisei

Attorney General: Martha Coakley

Secretary of State: William F. Galvin

Treasurer: Karyn E. Polito

Auditor: Mary Z. Connaughton

Representative in Congress

1st District: John W. Olver

2nd District: Thomas A. Wesley

3rd District: James P. McGovern

Governor's Council, 7th District: Francis A. Ford

...