Voters in the 41st House District will select between two candidates whose interest in political office seems genuinely rooted in a commitment to public service. They both seem like nice guys.

Vying for the district that represents western sections of Groton and the southeastern section of New London, divided by the Thames River, are incumbent Republican Rep. Aundré Bumgardner, 22, and Democratic Town Councilor Joe de la Cruz, 45. Both live in Groton.

Bumgardner gained statewide attention two years ago when he upset an incumbent to become the youngest member of the legislature before he was legally old enough to buy a drink. De la Cruz says his primary motivation to serve in the legislature is driven by the opioid addiction crisis that is hitting the region, state and nation and that touched his family personally. He has the experience of serving on the Representative Town Meeting and currently the council.

Both men recognize that addressing the opioid crisis is one area in which Connecticut, even in the midst of persistent fiscal problems, must find money for education and long-term recovery programs.

On the budget crisis confronting the state, however, the two candidates significantly differ. Bumgardner takes a more realistic view of the challenge.

These fiscal differences are reflected in how the two candidates view the $184 million high school construction project that will appear on the Groton ballot, with $100 million expected to come from the state. The project would replace older, deteriorating schools and address student racial imbalance cited by the state.

De la Cruz, who helped in the planning, supports the project. Bumgardner sees it as overly ambitious and too high a burden to ask of the town’s taxpayers. He said the state needs to reassess the money it is spending on all projects. A less extensive plan, with improvements taken in steps, along with potential amendments to the racial imbalance law, might be the better approach, he argued.

De la Cruz, meanwhile, suggests taking incremental steps to get Connecticut’s fiscal house back in order. He is reluctant to demand more concessions from state labor unions. Bumgardner, who says painful spending cuts will be necessary, argues persuasively that state pensions and benefits need to better align with those in the private sector.

While residents will get a quality representative whoever wins, our endorsement goes to Rep. Aundré Bumgardner to continue his fiscal fight in Hartford.