While freshman House Rep. Holly Cheeseman is fiscally conservative to the core, with an old Yankee sensibility to try to find ways to do things cheaper, her greatest asset is using her position to pursue practical solutions to problems.

The 37th District Republican is facing a challenge from Democrat Hugh McKenney, who lives in Salem. McKenney, 56, is retired from Millstone Power Station in Waterford, where he worked as a nuclear engineer. He has served 10 years on the Salem Planning and Zoning Commission.

The 37th District encompasses Salem and East Lyme.

Cheeseman, an East Lyme resident, is 63. She is the executive director of the Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut. Cheeseman is what used to be considered a “Connecticut Republican,” skeptical about the overreach of government, supportive of business, but not overly dogmatic.

McKenney has tried to characterize Cheeseman as “on the far right,” but the label doesn’t fit. Politics would benefit from less referencing of people with whom you disagree as extreme.

Serving on the Energy and Technology Committee, Cheeseman played a pivotal role in the passage of legislation that will allow Millstone Power Station owner Dominion Energy to compete, with other greenhouse-emissions-free renewable energy sources, for the sale of the electricity the nuclear station generates. This approach to pricing is critical to prevent the premature closing of Millstone, which would be both economically devastating locally and lead to power shortages.

Acting on a bill Cheeseman introduced, and the legislature passed, Connecticut is working on the implementation of a website providing comprehensive “one-stop shopping” information for students considering a state college or university.

The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence is honoring Cheeseman for her work on behalf of victims of domestic violence, most recently her support of a new law that will give police greater discretion in arresting who they see as the aggressor in cases of domestic violence.

Her work on the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board is helping develop a pipeline for skilled manufacturing jobs.

McKenney checks off the progressive boxes — in favor of assessing tolls on trucks, for legalized marijuana, phasing in a $15 minimum wage and providing paid family leave — but does not appear ready to replace a lawmaker who is getting the job done.

The Day endorses Holly Cheeseman in the 37th House District.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.