Opinion

The Post’s Endorsements

Regional voters will decide key races tomorrow, but two — for New Jersey governor and for an upstate congressional seat — carry enormous national and local importance.

Over the weekend, the congressional race — for the 23rd District seat — took a dramatic twist, with the liberal Republican, Dede Scozzafava, dropping out and the GOP switching its endorsement to the Conservative candidate.

The Post had already backed the Conservative, Doug Hoffman — decrying the cynical deal by party bosses that led to Scozzafava getting the GOP line.

Indeed, yesterday, the Republican-In-Name-Only showed her true colors by endorsing her Democratic foe. More telling, of course, is that her positions on social and tax-and-spend issues are virtually indistinguishable from the Dems’.

Hoffman, by contrast, represents mainstream GOP principles and policies consistent with those of voters in the 23rd. He’s hoping voters will “send a message to Washington” that they’re “sick and tired of big-spending, high-taxing career politicians.”

It’s vital that they do, as Team Obama and DC Dems push ahead with plans to radically expand government.

In the other notable race, for governor in New Jersey, The Post has endorsed Republican Chris Christie. A victory for him in the heavily Democratic Garden State will also sound a loud warning that voters nationwide are wary of Washington’s surge toward bigger government.

Meanwhile, at home, despite Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine’s vows of relief from Jersey’s killer taxes, levies have soared. And Corzine’s hinting of yet higher taxes, should he win.

Political corruption, too, has run amok under Corzine. Christie, by contrast, a former US attorney with an unblemished record of 130 prosecutions against public officials, has done much in the battle against political sleaze.

Christie also vows to cut property and business taxes. With Independent Chris Daggett also planning to hike various taxes and tolls, Jersey’s best hope is clear: Chris Christie.

Polls suggest the race for New York mayor isn’t as close as the two above, but it’s still important for voters to get to the polls and vote for Michael Bloomberg, whom The Post has endorsed.

On the strength of his record, Bloomberg has earned another four years.

His opponent, City Comptroller Bill Thompson — though well-intentioned — doesn’t measure up to Mike’s standard.

On such critical issues as fighting crime and keeping the city’s fiscal house in order, Bloomberg has delivered. And he’s brought accountability and genuine results to a school system that once seemed doomed to failure.

Finally, in the race for Westchester County executive, The Post has backed Rob Astorino.

Spending during Democratic incumbent Andrew Spano’s 12 years in office has doubled, helping make Westchester the most heavily taxed county in America. It’s time for a change.

Astorino advocates genuine fiscal responsibility, focusing on spending cuts and trims in county employees’ perks. Voters seeking relief should pull the lever for Rob Astorino.