Voters in Senate District 39 face a tough choice Nov. 8. There are two intelligent, inspired candidates who both have a close relationship with Tulsa and their district. Both are good men — John Waldron and Dave Rader.

On balance, however, we believe that Waldron is the right choice.

Waldron, the Democrat, is energetic. He understands well the workings of the government and the Legislature. But, most important, he will be a steady fighter for public education.

Waldron has taught social studies at Booker T. Washington High School since 1999. He has been named Teacher of the Year, an Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Secondary Educator of the Year and he is a recipient of the Tulsa University Teacher Inspiration Prize.

He understands the challenges of Oklahoma’s economic problems, but also believes that cutting education funding is not the way to solve those problems.

As one of nine children in a one-income family, his education and future were helped when he took the Advanced Placement history exam in high school. That earned him eight college credits and set him on his path to becoming an educator.

His son is a student in Tulsa Public Schools, and his wife also is a TPS educator.