Voters in the 37th House District, serving East Lyme and Salem, face a difficult decision, which in this case is a good thing because they have two high-quality candidates competing to fill the seat that state Rep. Ed Jutila has held for 12 years. After six terms, Jutila, a Democrat, opted not to seek re-election.

Both Republican Holly Cheeseman and Democrat Beth Hogan have business and governmental experience, and both have made significant contributions to the civic life of their community. The candidates agree, correctly, that getting Connecticut back on firm financial footing is the top challenge.

Cheeseman, 61, serves on the East Lyme Board of Selectmen and is the executive director of the Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut, located in Niantic. She is also president of the East Lyme Public Library board and active in the Historical Society and Save the River- Save the Hills.

Hogan, 57, is a former first selectwoman in East Lyme and now a member of the town’s Board of Finance and a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Connecticut.

Cheeseman has a background in magazine publishing; Hogan co-owns an Old Lyme law firm.

In calling for a required cost-benefit analysis of all proposed legislation and a moratorium on new mandates and regulations, at least until Connecticut establishes some long-term fiscal stability, Cheeseman seeks to bring business pragmatism to the legislative process.

She is not a rigid ideologue. Cheeseman said that if reasonable budget cuts are exhausted, she would be open to considering new taxes or increases, but with the provision that any new tax would automatically sunset after a few years if not renewed by the legislature. Cheeseman calls it fair and prudent to realign state employee benefits with the private sector. She’s right.

Hogan is less aggressive in her budget-cutting approach and less willing to seek labor concessions. But she is right in proposing long-term budget planning, calling for a healthier state surplus, and in seeking a review of the various tax and other incentives the state is supplying companies to determine if they work.

Hogan’s record as first selectwoman is cause for some concern. Defeated in 2007, Hogan’s one two-year term was plagued with minor controversies and charges of poor communication, not a good sign for her prospects of working effectively in Hartford.

On balance, Holly Cheeseman is the stronger candidate and earns the endorsement.