It's hard to believe it's been a year since Pennsylvania found itself in the national spotlight as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton raced for the Democratic nomination for president. No federal offices will appear on the statewide primary ballot this Tuesday and, as is always true in so-called off-year elections, the interests run a lot closer to home.

The contest for mayor of Pittsburgh is the high-visibility race this time, with incumbent Luke Ravenstahl facing two challengers -- Councilman Patrick Dowd and attorney Carmen Robinson. City voters in three districts also will choose nominees for City Council and those in one school board district will nominate a new member.

Allegheny County suburbanites will see their own contests for borough councils and township supervisors, and city and suburban voters alike will make important nominations for statewide appellate courts and the county Common Pleas bench.

With Democratic registration in the city outpacing that of Republicans by a 5-to-1 margin, the primary for Pittsburgh mayor typically assures the nominee of election in the fall.

Mr. Ravenstahl, who took office in 2006 after the death of Bob O'Connor, won the right to fill out that term two years ago. This is the first time he is asking voters to give him a four-year term. A Summer Hill resident who was a City Council member for two years and its president for nine months before becoming mayor, he has learned on the job and his recent support for campaign finance limits, lobbyist registration and a ban on no-bid professional contracts is encouraging.

Mr. Ravenstahl is heavily favored to win the Democratic nomination, but the city could be better served by a mayor who promises a more professional, less partisan approach to the office. That candidate is Patrick Dowd of Highland Park, who served one term on the Pittsburgh school board and was elected to City Council two years ago. The city faces tough challenges ahead, with its shrinking population, upcoming contract negotiations with city unions and expanding pension and debt problems -- and Mr. Dowd has promised consistent direction from the top without worrying about whose political toes get stepped on in the process. He has said he won't tolerate mediocrity, and no city resident should either.

Here is a recap of other Post-Gazette endorsements made in contested races for other city and judicial offices.

Only one candidate, Superior Court JudgeJack Panella, appears on the Democratic ballot for Pennsylvania's highest court, but Republican voters have three well-qualified options for their single nomination. On the Republican side, we endorse Superior Court Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen of Hampton. A former elementary school teacher, Judge Allen served with distinction in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court's juvenile section and was elected to Superior Court in 2007.

While three Republicans are on the ballot for the party's three nominations, the Democrats have six candidates to consider. We recommend Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Robert J. Colville and Philadelphia Common Pleas Judges Anne E. Lazarus and John Younge.

Voters have choices to make on both ballots, with three Republicans and six Democrats seeking two nominations for Commonwealth Court. For the Republicans, we endorse former administrative appeals judge Al Frioni of Mt. Lebanon and Dauphin County attorney Kevin Brobson. On the Democratic side, we recommend attorneys Daniel K. Bricmont of Avalon and Michael D. Sherman of Mt. Lebanon.

Fifteen candidates are competing for five seats on the Allegheny County bench and most of them are cross-filed for both the Republican and Democratic nominations. We endorse the following candidates on both ballots: Judge Joe Williams, who was appointed and now seeks a full term; attorneys Alex Bicket of Mt. Lebanon, Phil Ignelzi of McCandless and Hugh McGough of Shadyside; and Magisterial District Judge Susan Evashavik DiLucente of Forest Hills.

Only Democrats have contested races for Pittsburgh council. Natalia Rudiak, District 4, is already active, knowledgeable and ready to lead neighborhoods in the South Hills. Robert Daniel Lavelle, District 6, would be an energetic, hands-on and visible councilman in the city's center. Georgia Blotzer, District 2, would be a strong voice for Pittsburgh's western communities.

In District 1, incumbent Randall Taylor is not seeking re-election. Three candidates are on the Democratic ballot but only one also is cross-filed on the Republican side. That candidate, Sharene Shealey of North Point Breeze, is ideally prepared for the board and has our endorsement.