Here is the text of their endorsement:

State Senate, District 1: People drone on about "change," but it's amazing how often they'll re-elect incumbents whose time has passed. Rep. Dwight Takamine is one of those incumbents. He had a long run in the House, but he's become synonymous with "business as usual."

Ted Hong is experienced, studious and stubborn -- three traits you want in a guy who dares to be a Republican in a predominately Democratic district. If you actually care about reform, elect Hong to the state Senate. He has good ideas, and we doubt he'll miss 37 percent of his votes, like Takamine did during the 2007 Legislature. The Tribune-Herald endorses Hong.