In 2004, Margaret Hostetter ran against Democrat Debbie Wasserman-Schultz -- and lost by a wide margin. In 2006, she sat out the race and watched as Ms. Wasserman-Schultz was reelected without opposition. Determined not to allow that to happen again, Ms. Hostetter is challenging Ms. Wasserman-Schultz on the Nov. 4 ballot.

''Give people a choice,'' Ms. Hostetter said. ''Our country is on a slippery slope coated with oil.'' Ms. Hostetter, 62, is a Davie real-estate broker. She previously ran as a Republican and this time filed as a no-party candidate. Ms. Wasserman-Schultz, 42, is the clear choice in this race, and we recommend her.

She is a passionate lawmaker with strong convictions who fights hard for residents in this odd-shaped district that includes portions of Weston, Plantation, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Dania Beach and Aventura.

As one of only a handful of women in Congress with young children, Ms. Wasserman-Schultz brings the perspective of a mother and lawmaker to her work. She sponsored legislation that protects children from accidentally drowning in swimming pools. The bill was signed into law last year.

Ms. Wasserman-Schultz wants to lower healthcare costs and make taxes fairer for middle-class workers. She wants to control government spending by closing loopholes and cutting unnecessary spending. A staunch supporter of Israel, Ms. Wasserman-Schultz faults the Bush administration for doing too little to eliminate violence and promote peace.

She wants to reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign oil, promote renewable fuels, increase fuel-efficiency standards and create high-skilled green jobs.

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