Those who dare bring up politics hear it all the time. People are frustrated with the two choices for president. “I can’t believe these are the choices,” is a repeated phrase. The latest Real Clear Politics averaging of all the major polls shows Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, with a 53 percent unfavorability number. The Republican nominee, Donald Trump, has a 61 percent unfavorability rating.

It could well lead to disappointing voter turnout.

What people need to remember is that there is more than one race. If your priorities are the taxes you pay, the services you may utilize and the status of the economy where you live, your most important race in Connecticut is probably not for president, but who will represent you in the state House and Senate.

Since Gov. Dannel P. Malloy won election in 2010, the Democrats have controlled the House, Senate and the governor’s chair, rendering Republicans to the status of spectators and critics.

The fiscal challenges Connecticut faces are well documented. They include a grossly underfunded state pension plan and the growing cost of servicing state debt. They will eat up an ever greater percentage of the state budget.

The Office of Fiscal Analysis has estimated that for fiscal year 2018, which begins July 1, 2017, the state faces a $1.3 billion budget shortfall if spending and revenue trends persist, and in fiscal 2019 a $1.4 billion gap. The current budget is about $19.75 billion.

There is no race for governor, but control of the Senate is in play. Democrats hold a 21-15 majority, but if Republicans pick up four seats, they take control 19-17. Republican control of that chamber would dramatically alter the dynamics of budget politics.

It would force the governor and Democrats in the House to seek compromise with the Senate Republicans. Theoretically, at least, you would expect a compromise more weighted to spending cuts, and so a reduction in services, and less on higher taxation.

Ironically, a Republican Senate could make Malloy’s job easier, assuming he does not leave for a post in a Hillary Clinton administration. Malloy is going to have to continue to insist on the legislature making painful choices. A legislature with Democrats in complete control is less likely to accept that reality than is a legislature with divided power.

While it is unlikely Republicans could capture the House, where Democrats hold a 86-64 advantage, that majority could be narrowed and raise the potential for a coalition of centrist Democrats and Republicans rebelling against majority leadership on fiscal issues.

On Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. at Stonington High School, The Day will host the first in a series of state Senate debates in our area. Theday.com will live stream the debate. The 18th District debate will feature Republican Heather Somers, who most recently was a candidate for lieutenant governor, and Democrat Timothy Bowles, a former state representative.

The 18th District covers the towns of Griswold, Groton, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston, Sterling, Stonington and Voluntown.

Also beginning Sept. 6 and on every Tuesday thereafter, theday.com will feature a live discussion with candidates for seats in the House of Representatives. The hour-long programs will air at 1 p.m. and will remain on theday.com for later viewing. That first forum will feature candidates for the 37th House District, serving East Lyme and Salem. The Republican candidate is East Lyme Selectwoman Holly H. Cheeseman and the Democratic candidate Beth Hogan, a former first selectwoman for East Lyme and now a member of the town’s Board of Finance.

Follow The Day and theday.com for a list of future debates and online discussions. They’re important.

Paul Choiniere is the editorial page editor.