The Times recommends voters re-elect state Sen. Derek Kilmer in the 26th Legislative District

THE Times begins its endorsements for 2010 with a nod to state Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.

In a Democratic caucus that spent too much and taxed too much, Kilmer, representing the 26th Legislative District, has been a vote for moderation. He favored the new tax on cigarettes, but bucked Democratic leaders by voting against the $800 million in tax increases and against the final budget. His independence should be rewarded at the ballot box.

Every candidate this year is talking about jobs, but with Kilmer it is more than talk. He is vice president of the Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County, and talks to companies thinking about creating jobs. He knows what policies attract them and what ones do not — a reality check that some of his colleagues are in need of.

Kilmer has become one of the Legislature's strongest supporters of higher education in his single term in the Senate. (He previously served a term as one of the district's representatives in the House.) He has pushed legislation to give the state universities more control over tuition, which they need, coupled with provisions for increased scholarships, which the public will need. He is a graduate of Princeton and Oxford.

He has a strong campaign, having raised more than $200,000, with a balance of contributions from business, labor and the tribes.

He has two opponents. First-time Republican candidate Marty McClendon is a real-estate broker. McClendon promises to increase spending on public schools by hundreds of millions of dollars, and cut taxes for families and business at the same time.

The man has trouble with his arithmetic. Fundraising is not a predictor of political performance, but it is part of our system. Candidates who are realistic and committed make every effort to raise enough money to stage an aggressive campaign. McClendon has raised pennies for every dollar Kilmer has brought in.

The other candidate, Kristine Danielson, declines to raise any money, and even to state her political party, though she once ran for Kitsap County auditor as a Republican. Danielson has been a number of things, from a court reporter to manager of a grocery store and the director of a real-estate company. She has taken a course to be a nurse. One of these things ought to suit her better than the Washington State Senate.

Kilmer has done good work in Olympia and has earned another four-year term in the Senate.