Chilton County voters will go to the polls next Tuesday to decide many state and local elections.

Turnout is expected to be low. It’s a prediction we hope is wrong, but one that proves why each and every vote is important.

With that in mind, The Clanton Advertiser endorses the candidates below in state races. We make no endorsements in local races because we feel citizens have had many opportunities to meet these candidates themselves and learn more about their platform and question what they want to accomplish if elected.

For governor, we endorse Robert Bentley. A successful physician and business owner, Bentley has visited Chilton County numerous times this year, sharing his ideas for creating jobs and growing the economy. He has also pledged to make ethics and campaign finance reform priorities if elected.

For lieutenant governor, we prefer Jim Folsom Jr. for an office that has been stripped of much of its power. We believe former governor Folsom would be better qualified than State Treasurer Kay Ivey to assume the state’s top executive role if necessary.

In other races, we like Luther Strange for attorney general and feel Beth Chapman deserves a second term as secretary of state.