Voters will see contested races for three important Allen County government offices on their ballots next Tuesday but in truth have a choice in just one.

Our choice for county commissioner, Republican incumbent Linda Bloom, faces a legitimate challenge from Democrat Mike Avila. But the Democrats running for county auditor and sheriff are unqualified for the offices, and the Republicans are clearly the only candidates voters should choose.

Commissioner

In a year when many voters hope to turn long-entrenched incumbents out of office, Bloom touts her 32 years in county government, including the last 16 as a commissioner. Though she has sometimes been an obstacle to progress, votes in her last four years helped the county achieve a long-sought merger of the city and county 911 emergency dispatch systems; co-location of city and county law enforcement and government offices; and, though too weak, the first countywide smoking ordinance.

Bloom’s insistence helped turn a patient safety law initially geared strictly toward women by making abortions more difficult into one that applies to more physicians and patients.

And Bloom’s work helped to finally bring the Maplecrest Road extension from the drawing board to construction.

Avila rightly believes county government needs at least one Democrat in a commissioner role to serve as a check and balance, but he does not make a compelling case that he would be better than Bloom.

Auditor

Chief deputy auditor for the past eight years, Tera Klutz has time and again proven her immense value to county government and taxpayers, using her expertise to understand the intricacies of state tax policy and exactly how it affects the county and its citizens. A certified public accountant, Klutz is the best-qualified candidate for the auditor’s office. She would be an excellent choice in any year, but especially in this election, where Democrat Michael Reef clearly lacks the skills needed for the position.

Sheriff

Incumbent Republican Ken Fries has put more officers on the road, put more detectives in uniform and – though we sometimes disagree with his decisions – has ably run the sheriff’s department for the past four years.

His Democratic opponent, perennial candidate David Roach, is prone to distributing profane e-mails, and his policing experience is limited to his misdemeanor arrests. He is an embarrassment to his party and to the electoral process.

Friday: County Council