Although nothing is commanding attention like the Democratic presidential primary, other important contests will be decided by the voters on Tuesday's ballot. Over the past three weeks, the Post-Gazette editorial board has interviewed the candidates -- including Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama -- and made endorsements in the contested races in Allegheny County.

All of those match-ups are on the Democratic side of the ballot. While Republicans in the county are seeking nominations for various offices, too, they are running unopposed for now. We will interview them and consider their candidacies in the fall.

What follows is a recap of the Post-Gazette endorsements in the April 22 primary.

In a four-way race for the Democratic nomination, John Cordisco of Bucks County is the most well-rounded choice to be a responsible, independent steward of the public's dollars. A lawyer who started out as a steel worker, Mr. Cordisco also served six years in the Legislature, so he knows government from the inside. He established his own law firm and founded Team Capital Bank, which serves customers in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

• 18th District: Three Democrats who hold similar positions on the issues are vying for the chance to face Republican Congressman Tim Murphy. One stands out, however, as the candidate with the most detailed grasp of the challenges facing the country. That's Steve O'Donnell of Monroeville.

He's had a career helping special-needs adults and children, first as a counselor at the state prison in Pittsburgh and later as executive director for 15 years of the Westmoreland County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Citizens. He's also endorsed by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, which any challenger from the party will need in taking on a well-known and well-funded incumbent.

• 16th District: Robert Matzie of Ambridge is the best bet for Democrats in this open seat where no Republican has filed as a candidate. He has experience as a legislative aide and displays a thorough understanding of state issues.

• 19th District: Jake Wheatley of the Hill District is coming into his own as a young legislator and exhibits the leadership and responsiveness to deserve the party nomination. With no Republican on the ballot, he could be on his way to a fourth term.

• 21st District: Brenda Frazier, a former County Council member from Stanton Heights, is being pilloried by the opposition for voting for the county drink tax. But in having the courage to cast that vote, her only "crime" was saving residents from higher property taxes and keeping public transit open for business. Democrats should embrace her brand of leadership.

• 24th District: Joseph Preston Jr. has spent 26 years in the House. Someday the East Liberty lawmaker will be replaced by a fresh face, but none of his three challengers this year appears up to the task. Better to stick with the legislator the voters know.

• 27th District: John Paul Jones of Westwood has a knowledge of state issues that far exceeds that of his two opponents. He is the Democrats' best hope for modern, progressive leadership in this open seat, where a Republican will be on the fall ballot.

• 38th District: Bill Kortz of Dravosburg has one term under his belt in the House. He fancies himself a reformer and we'd like to see him grow into one, but his next few votes may tell the tale. For now, he deserves the party nomination.