Democrat Joseph Preston Jr. has spent the last 26 years in the state House of Representatives, and it's been rare for him to face a solid, well-qualified challenger.

That remains true this year, despite Mr. Preston's consistent, though often less-than-inspiring, performance during his generation in the General Assembly. Two of the candidates who challenged the 60-year-old East Liberty resident in 2006 are back this time seeking the Democratic nomination in the April 22 primary. The third is a newcomer to a legislative campaign.

No Republican is on the ballot and the Democratic nominee will be the prohibitive favorite to go to Harrisburg.

Todd Elliott Koger, 46, of Wilkinsburg and William Anderson, 35, of Homewood bring a lot of baggage to the race. Both are involved in property tax disputes and have criminal records -- Mr. Koger for simple assault and harassment and Mr. Anderson for drug charges. Mr. Anderson, a body shop owner, finished a distant third in the 2006 primary that saw Mr. Preston win narrowly. Mr. Koger, a science teacher, ran against Mr. Preston as an independent in the last general election and was outpaced by more than 6 to 1.

The third challenger, Lucille Prater-Holliday, 51, of Wilkinsburg works as a temporary employee and ran unsuccessfully for district justice in 2005. Articulate and well-informed, she shows far more promise than the others but does not yet seem up to the challenge of representing the 24th Legislative District, which includes Wilkinsburg, Aspinwall and the city neighborhoods of East Hills, East Liberty, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, Larimer and Homewood.

Though hardly a reformer, Mr. Preston promised to vote in favor of a bill, currently pending, that would reduce legislative spending by 20 percent, and he voted for a measure, which unfortunately failed, that was aimed at illegal straw handgun purchases. He was an early advocate for slot machine gambling but opposes the addition of table games. He also favors an indoor smoking ban with no exemptions -- a breath of fresh air in a Legislature where many members can't find the nerve to act against a public health threat.

In Mr. Preston, voters can be sure of what they're getting -- a practical politician who has proved to be capable of bringing development funds to his communities. The Post-Gazette gives its endorsement to Joseph Preston.