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Voters must choose from among three candidates to represent District 6 in the U.S. House of Representatives: Republican incumbent Roscoe G. Bartlett of Buckeystown, Democrat Jennifer P. Dougherty of Frederick, and Libertarian Gary W. Hoover of Washington County.

We find the choice uninspiring, but see no compelling reason to change the status quo. In fact, given the choice this election, voters would be wise to return Bartlett to the seat he has held since first elected in 1992.

District 6 has changed much since then, so much so we question how much Bartlett's politics remains aligned with the changing district. Dougherty gave many Democrats hope that 2008 would be their year to wrestle the seat away from Bartlett.

As mayor of the City of Frederick from 2002-2005, she had some name recognition. But name recognition can also work against a politician, especially when that name carries with it memories of division and arguments.

In fact, Board of Aldermen meetings during the Dougherty administration were known just as well for personal attacks among elected officials than the policies they were supposedly debating. They even had to call in a mediator in an attempt to work through their differences.

Democrats thought so little of Dougherty that they did not re-nominate her in the 2005 primary.

We do not need to send that legacy to Congress. Dougherty is intelligent, articulate, and would bring strong thinking on policy issues, but a leader is only effective if people are willing to follow.

Dougherty says she has worked hard on changing and learning to work with people more effectively. However, she would be better off trying to redeem herself in local government than reaching for a national office. Once proven, she could then look to serve at a higher level, and make a contribution on behalf of the citizens in District 6.

We appreciate Hoover's enthusiasm for running, and on one level agree with some tenets of his party. But America's two major political parties reign on Capitol Hill, an environment in which a Libertarian could accomplish little if anything.

We acknowledge that most District 6 residents believe Bartlett has done a good job in Congress. We believe legislators should be more proactive in seeking out and shaping legislation, but Bartlett has remained true to his philosophy that a good representative also votes against what he or she believes to be bad legislation.

He voted against the economic bailout because it bailed out Wall Street while doing nothing for Main Street; it socialized losses while keeping gains private; and it will punish our children and grandchildren. He would rather have provided unlimited insurance for savings and money market funds; eliminated "mark to market" accounting, one factor some experts say contributed to the financial mess; and forced banks to have a credit score, much like individuals have.

But his bill to accomplish those goals went nowhere, and Congress instead passed a measure laden with pork. And as much as Bartlett votes against spending, he said he has brought back $500 million to District 6 during his tenure in the form of defense spending.

Included in that money, according to his staff, was $89 million for additions and improvements at Fort Detrick; $5.2 million for Invitrogen in Frederick to provide the Defense Department with tools to identify pathogens; and $8.9 million for Volvo Powertrain of North America to develop a heavy truck hybrid drive-train system at its Mack Truck operation in Hagerstown so the Air Force and Army could improve gas mileage and reduce fuel convoys in battle zones.

We like that he has been outspoken on the need for a better energy policy, but regret that he has lacked the political power to persuade his colleagues to see his point of view. With the onslaught of $4-per-gallon gasoline last summer, Americans are beginning to see the need for a better energy policy, so perhaps public sentiment is moving more toward Bartlett's point of view than it has ever been.

In that light, Bartlett is the best choice of the three. We encourage him to not just talk about energy policy, but to align himself with other congressional leaders who have more clout to actually accomplish something in this area.