Vote! Vote! Vote! That's the first message we'd like to send about Tuesday, the long-awaited Election Day when Americans will cast ballots in a closely fought presidential race. For Pennsylvania voters, though, there are other important choices to be made further down the ballot.

Not only will people elect a U.S. senator, but also members of the House of Representatives. This year's general election also features the state's three "row offices" -- attorney general, auditor general and treasurer. Not to be outdone, the General Assembly has all of its House members up for a vote and half of the state Senate.

That's a lot to digest, but it's a great privilege to live in a country where so many key government positions can be filled by the votes of an informed public. So, whether or not you've read the full text of our election editorials from the last three weeks (you can retrieve them online), here is a recapitulation of the endorsements issued by the Post-Gazette this fall.

President
In what could be a repeat of the 2000 cliffhanger, Republican George W. Bush and his Democratic opponent, this time Sen. John Kerry, have been waging a tough campaign, and not just in a dozen battleground states. This is the first contest for the hearts and minds of voting Americans after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. It's a referendum on a president who took the United States into a new war and plunged a recovering federal budget back into years of deficit.

Mr. Bush will be seen in history as the son of a previous president and the commander in chief who resumed a war with Iraq initiated by his father. The fact that Bush II still cannot persuade most of the public as to why 1,000-plus Americans had to give their lives in this battle (no WMD, no 9/11 connection) is the most profound reason for making him a one-termer.

Although John Kerry recognizes this is no black-and-white world, he would fight terror by focusing on al-Qaida, the real enemy, and enlist America's friends around the globe in the effort. At home, he is more concerned than the incumbent about extending health care to those who lack it, creating tax policy that does not favor the rich and building an economy in which jobs are plentiful.

Although the administration wants voters to think this is the wrong time to switch horses, the bungling and backpedaling from the White House build a powerful case for regime change here at home. That's why the Post-Gazette enthusiastically endorses John Kerry for president.

U.S. Senate
Incumbent Arlen Specter is one of a vanishing breed: moderate Republicans. In four terms the Philadelphian has worked diligently for this state's interests, with special focus on Western Pennsylvania's agenda. Although our views on specific issues may line up more precisely with the Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel, Sen. Specter's clout and independence would be terrible things to waste. We recommend Arlen Specter for a fifth term.

State Attorney General
In this open race, Pennsylvanians have two outstanding candidates with impressive prosecutorial resumes. Jim Eisenhower was a prosecutor with the Justice Department in Washington and an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Republican Tom Corbett was once the state's attorney general (completing the term of Ernie Preate, who went to prison) and the U.S. attorney for Western Pennsylvania. Although both are men of integrity, we give the edge to Jim Eisenhower because of his desire to go after polluters, illegal trash haulers and profit-hoarding nonprofit health insurance companies.

State Auditor General
Pittsburgher Jack Wagner, after 10 years in the state Senate and 10 years on City Council, understands the agencies, programs and arms of government that bear fiscal watchdogging by the state auditor. His Republican opponent, Joe Peters, has a law enforcement background of chasing the mafia and interrupting drug traffic, but they are solid credentials for a different job. Pennsylvanians would do well to cast their vote for the Democrat, Sen. Wagner.

State Treasurer
Bob Casey Jr., who is completing eight years of service as state auditor, is the big name in the five-way, open race for treasurer. The Democrat's leading opponent is Republican Jean Craige Pepper, a newcomer to politics but a veteran of the financial world, having spent two decades with Merrill Lynch. But there's a big difference between being a financial adviser in a small office and overseeing the 500-employee operation of the state treasurer. Though Bob Casey is clearly looking toward another run for governor, he's been a diligent public servant and is the best choice for treasurer.

U.S. House
• 4th District. Voters have been left high and dry by the Democratic Party, which has put forth the same nominee, Stevan Drobac Jr., whom Rep. Melissa Hart easily defeated last time. Though Mr. Drobac is giving it his best shot, he's battling health problems and is not an ideal candidate. Steven Larchuk, running on the single issue of expanding the availability of health care, speaks eloquently but deflects questions on other important matters.

Ms. Hart is a Republican who strikes a chord with some of her constituents on guns, abortion and the death penalty. Yet as a reliable vote for the Bush agenda, she has done little on extending medical care to those who can't afford it, seeking a tax policy that does not favor the rich and challenging an administration that is less compassionate and more conservative. Rep. Hart is a shoo-in for a third term, but we advise voters to withhold their ballots as a way of telling both parties that the 4th District deserves better.

• 18th District. Although freshman Rep. Tim Murphy has a voting record similar to Rep. Hart's, this Republican has been industrious on issues facing the elderly, veterans and the steel industry. He is better informed than his Democratic challenger, pediatrician Mark Boles, and deserves re-election.

State Senate
• 37th District. An active legislator, first in the House and now in the Senate, Republican John Pippy has a better grasp of the issues than his challenger and should be returned to the Legislature.

• 39th District. While his opponent raises hot-button issues like gay marriage, flag desecration and music warning labels, Sen. Allen Kukovich is working in Harrisburg on jobs, development and health care. He deserves a new term.

State House
After interviewing candidates in competitive races for the House of Representatives, the Post-Gazette made the following endorsements.

• 16th District -- Sean Ramaley (D)

• 21st District -- Frank Pistella (D)

• 25th District -- Joseph Markosek (D)

• 28th District -- Bradley Cline (D)

• 35th District -- Marc Gergely (D)

• 39th District -- David Levdansky (D)

• 44th District -- Mark Mustio (R)

• 46th District -- Paul Snatchko (R)