Olsen has not run for public office before. He is a recent convert to the Democratic Party, having voted for President Bush in 2000, but then became convinced the Republicans had abandoned their principles and Utah's values.

Bishop, on the other hand, is a two-term congressman and former speaker of the Utah House who has worked hard to benefit the state. The Tribune Editorial Board believes Bishop's public policy experience and growing congressional seniority argue convincingly for a third term.

Bishop helped Hill Air Force Base secure a wing of F-35 aircraft and got software upgrades to boost the base's long-range viability. He also negotiated a deal to get a longer runway at the Army's Dugway Proving Ground facility and a land exchange to enhance Park City open-space protection.

As a member of the powerful House Rules Committee, the gatekeeper of congressional legislation, Bishop is well-placed to act in Utah's behalf.

Although Bishop sided with the Bush administration 97 percent of the time, a record we find troubling, he boldly opposed the federal No Child Left Behind act, which dictates to states on education matters and has raised the ire of Utah legislators and education officials. His stand on that bill was, no doubt, informed by his long career as a public high school teacher.

To his credit, he also broke with the Bush administration to vote against the Patriot Act.

With the rest of Utah's congressional delegation, which should have known better, Bishop voted for military tribunals for "war on terror" detainees, the elimination of habeas corpus and acceptance of hearsay evidence in their trials.

Having earned a third term, Bishop should reconsider his lockstep support of the administration, beginning with its failed policies on the war in Iraq. Voters in the 1st District should expect no less.

* UTAH'S 1st CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT includes Box Elder, Cache, Davis, west Juab, Morgan, Rich, northwest Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele and Weber counties.