WHEN D.C. Democratic voters go to the polls June 14 to cast their ballots for a nominee for president, it is more than likely that Hillary Clinton will already have locked up her bid. We hope that doesn’t dissuade voters from turning out, because there are important races for D.C. Council to be decided and the winners of the Democratic primary will be favorites to take office in January.

Six of the 13 members of the D.C. Council are up for reelection this year, with four incumbents facing primary challenges in June. Ward 2 incumbent Jack Evans, the council’s longest-serving member, who was first elected in 1991, is unopposed; and Council member David Grosso (I-At Large) will appear on the general election ballot in November.

In the at-large race that is being contested June 14, incumbent Vincent Orange faces spirited challenges from Robert White, a lawyer and former community outreach director for the D.C. attorney general making his second council run, and political newcomer David Garber, former advisory neighborhood commissioner. Both challengers show promise, but our endorsement goes to Mr. Orange based on his experience and how he has grown in the office to become a moderating force among the factions in government. A former two-term Ward 5 council member who has had an at-large seat since winning a special election in 2011, Mr. Orange has been a stalwart of school reform and a voice for small businesses.

Our endorsement in Ward 4 goes to incumbent Brandon Todd, who is seeking a full four-year term after having won last year’s special election to fill out the council term left open after Muriel E. Bowser’s (D) election as mayor. Mr. Todd hit the ground running, not surprising since — having worked as director of constituent services for Ms. Bowser — he has a keen understanding of the needs of the ward as well as the workings of the council. He is sensibly focused on education, public safety and senior-citizen issues and has brought new energy to trying to find new approaches. He has three challengers, the most prominent of whom is Leon T. Andrews, but arguments against his reelection are unconvincing.

We previously have written about the race in Ward 7, where we consider incumbent Yvette Alexander to be the better choice over former mayor Vincent C. Gray.

The main contest in Ward 8 is between incumbent LaRuby May and activist Trayon White. Ms. May squeaked by Mr. White with a margin of fewer than 100 votes to win last year’s special election to fill out the term caused by the death of Marion Barry. Mr. White, a former member of the D.C. state board of education, has done admirable work in the community, and his ability to connect with the ward’s young, at-risk population is undeniable. But we believe Ms. May is the better choice in being able to deliver on bringing needed attention and resources to long-neglected neighborhoods. Her work in Ward 8 over more than a decade on issues such as housing and education gives her a well-grounded understanding of the needs of the ward and expertise in bringing about results.

Also on the ballot is Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who is running unopposed for her 14th term serving as the District’s non-voting representative in the U.S. House. Early voting will begin May 31.