With elections a little more than a week away, the contest for governor remains a horse race. As Democrat Libby Mitchell, Republican Paul LePage and independent Eliot Cutler make the final turn, there is not a clear front-runner.

The candidates have given voters plenty of information ”“ and assertions ”“ to weigh. One of the primary themes has been the state budget, but despite all the promises made by candidates, this is an area where the governor must play the cards as they are dealt.

Our choice for governor, Libby Mitchell, brings good judgment to the table. As Senate president, she helped lead the Legislature to a budget consensus, cutting state costs while preserving essential services. A lean government is what will be needed in the years ahead, and that is what she has promised.

For some, the goal of a balanced budget is not good enough. Calls for deep cuts and the down-sizing of state government may appeal to our frugal inclinations, but laying off teachers and state employees, and curtailing purchases and state contracts would have a broad economic impact, perhaps slowing the state’s recovery.

Like her approach to running state government, her ideas for promoting economic growth to be practical and well-founded. She emphasizes, for instance, the importance of encouraging home-grown Maine businesses to grow and prosper. The best way to do this, she has argued, is to provide an environment in which talented individuals and companies can succeed. Mitchell’s plan includes tax credits, economic planning, a new approach to energy, and better education at all levels.

Her plan for education emphasizes the importance of giving youngsters an early start, the vitality of Maine’s Community College System and the importance of establishing appropriate standards for schools and teachers. The governor’s race has frequently turned negative, and one of the most troubling assertions raised by opponents has been that Maine schools are at the bottom of the national barrel. Mitchell has rightly defended Maine education, while promising greater accountability.

She has also articulated a strong environmental program built around the goals of reducing energy costs and promoting green energy. And she clearly recognizes the importance of protecting Maine’s priceless forest and water resources.

At a time when many are demanding change, her record of public service ”“ she has served as both Senate President and House Speaker ”“ is sometimes listed as a strike against her. We hope those looking for a moderate voice are not stampeded by the demands for change, and evaluate candidates based on their positions ”“ and their attitudes.

Who can fault Libby Mitchell’s attitude? In contrast to blunt assurance displayed by Paul LePage and Eliot Cutler, she employs a polite insistence that has proven to be an effective way of getting things accomplished.