Democrats in the 27th Legislative District will pick a nominee to run for the seat held by retiring Rep. Tom Petrone. They better choose carefully because incumbency can last a long time: Mr. Petrone is in his 14th term.

The 27th District includes neighborhoods in Pittsburgh's West End as well as Avalon, Ben Avon, Crafton, Dormont, Emsworth, Glenfield, Ingram, Neville and parts of McKees Rocks and Stowe. In the fall, the winner of the April 22 primary will face Republican John L. McLane of Dormont.

Pittsburgh Councilman Dan Deasy, 41, of Westwood took the endorsement of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee. A former city public works foreman, Mr. Deasy was elected to council in a special election in 2005. He claims credit for obtaining a $1 million federal weed-and-seed grant to combat crime in his district and successfully pushing for the reopening of the West End police station.

Ryan Douglass, 29, of Crafton has been an aide to Rep. Petrone after playing baseball mostly in the Kansas City Royals organization at the Class AA level. A pitcher, he also played in 2005 for the Washington Wild Things.

John Paul Jones, 43, of Westwood has a business degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. His most recent employment, which he gave up to run, was with the state Department of General Services, where he was variously employed in directing the agency's interaction with the General Assembly and coordinating the department's operations in Western Pennsylvania. Before that, he was a staff attorney for the Pennsylvania State Education Association in Erie for 11 years.

The candidates agreed on many issues during an interview with the Post-Gazette editorial board. They favor a no-exceptions ban on smoking in indoor workplaces; they favor tolling 1-80 and oppose privatizing the turnpike. All would have voted for the amendment requiring gun owners to report the theft or loss of handguns.

While Mr. Deasy and Mr. Douglass are more conservative on social issues than Mr. Jones (the first two are pro-life on abortion while Mr. Jones is pro-choice), Mr. Jones speaks to all issues with greater depth and knowledge. On his Web site, Mr. Jones uses clear specifics to focus on the environment, energy conversation, property taxes and health care like no one else.

Because of his greater knowledge, the Post-Gazette endorses John Paul Jones.