For the convenience of readers, we have listed below the Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Board's endorsements of political candidates and ballot issues that voters will be deciding on Tuesday. The endorsements are merely indications of our preferences, based on interviews and research. While we hope they prove useful, you the voters will, of course, make up your own minds.

Governor: Though a bona fide conservative, Republican Gary Herbert has emerged as a moderating voice of reason on Capitol Hill. He's earned another two years in the state's top job.

U.S. senator: Small-business owner and Democrat Sam Granato would give Utah a Main Street voice in the U.S. Senate rather than the pleadings of yet another lawyer. His opponent, Mike Lee, views the world through a narrow constitutional lens that few beyond the tea party can share.

1st Congressional District: Rep. Rob Bishop should be granted a fifth term. Though we disagree with him on some issues, his seniority in a Republican House would give Utah a stronger voice in Congress. His opponent is Morgan Bowen.

2nd Congressional District: Rep. Jim Matheson balances well on the tightrope he must walk in his conservative district. Although we disagreed with his "no" vote on health care reform, we believe the five-term Democrat's pragmatism benefits his district.

3rd Congressional District: Conservative Rep. Jason Chaffetz is a rising Republican star who has exhibited some bipartisan bent. He has earned a second term and would be a better fit for his district than opponent Karen Hyer.

Salt Lake County sheriff: The county needs an experienced, innovative and hard-working lawman. And that's what it's had in Democratic Sheriff Jim Winder's first four-year term, a performance that should earn him a second. His creation of a Unified Police Department, a major accomplishment, was opposed by Republican challenger Beau Babka.

Salt Lake County district attorney: Democrat Sim Gill, Salt Lake City's attorney, has the requisite experience as a prosecutor and administrator. Incumbent Lohra Miller's high-profile missteps have shown she lacks the temperament for the job.

Salt Lake County Council B: Former journalist Holly Mullen (who once worked at The Tribune) is a policy wonk with a gift for communicating her advocacy for such issues as mass transit, open space and social services. A grasp of broader county issues is essential for this open at-large seat, and makes Democrat Mullen our choice over Republican Richard Snelgrove.

County Council District 1: Democrat Arlyn Bradshaw's experience working on county policy initiatives as Joe Hatch's adviser convince us that Bradshaw should succeed Hatch in the county's most Democratic district.

County Council District 3: Incumbent Republican Councilman David Wilde has been on the right side of many issues. He believes, as we do, that, in general, government should not raise taxes during a recession. He has pushed for more government transparency and has worked hard for improvements to the Jordan River corridor. Democrat Diane Turner is his opponent.

County Council District 5: Democrat Tyler Andrus, an analyst in the assessor's office, would bring financial and tax savvy to the council, and he has some interesting tax-relief proposals to encourage new home sales. Appointed GOP incumbent Steve DeBry, a captain in the Unified Police Department, is the second emergency services employee — Unified Fire Chief Michael Jensen is the other — to sit on the council. That's too much clout for the cops.

Constitutional Amendment A: Against. This would amend the state constitution to guarantee secret ballots in union organizing elections. While we agree that such elections should be by secret ballot, federal law already provides that. The state constitution is not the proper place to write labor law.

Constitutional Amendment D: For. This amendment would establish an independent Legislative Ethics Commission which would function like a grand jury. If four of five commissioners determine a complaint has merit, it would be forwarded to either the House or Senate ethics committee for trial.

Salt Lake County Proposition 1: For. This proposition would authorize the county to issue $15 million in general obligation bonds to help complete the new building and exhibits for the Utah Museum of Natural History on the University of Utah campus. The museum is vital to encourage children to study science.

West Valley City Proposition 3: Yes. City voters would be wise to approve this $25 million parks and open space bond issue. Property taxes would increase by $25 per year for the average $177,000 home for 20 years. While we acknowledge the plight of persons who are unemployed or live on fixed incomes, such a small sum — about 7 cents a day — shouldn't prove a hardship.