The race to represent the 10th Legislative District in the state Senate offers a choice between the experience and proven track record of incumbent Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen versus the energy and enthusiasm of political newcomer Linda Haddon.

Haugen, a Democrat who has been in the Senate since 1993, is our choice over Republican challenger Haddon.

We are impressed by Haddon’s straight talk and familiarity with important issues. But despite her assurance that she’s a quick study and doesn’t expect much of a learning curve, it is a big step to the Senate from having held no elective public offices.

Haugen has been in the Senate a long time (and in the House for 10 years before that), and she’s done a lot more than keep the chair warm. She can point to consistent, significant success in guiding important legislation through the Legislature’s labyrinth, and she isn’t reluctant to remind voters that she carries a lot of clout because of her seniority among the Senate’s Democratic majority.

Perhaps most significant is her chairmanship of the Senate Transportation Committee. That role comes with a lot of power but also can be the target of a lot of criticism. Transportation is a hot-button issue with huge price tags. Haugen has been blamed by some for the state’s failure to anticipate and plan for failures in the state’s ferry system, lapses that have left gaps in service that won’t be adequately filled for some time.

Haugen doesn’t duck the claims, but also points to complications such as bidding-process glitches and resulting lawsuits that have made it difficult to simply go out and buy more boats. These are the aggravating details of running government that experienced lawmakers know to expect.

Nonetheless, the ferry delays give challengers like Haddon the opening to raise questions about why the system was allowed to fall into neglect. If re-elected, Haugen will be expected to deliver on assurances that new ferries are in the pipeline.

The two candidates echo each other on the importance of issues such as state funding for education, preservation of farmland and controlling state spending. We would expect their approaches to be different. Haugen has shown that in her approach to lawmaking, reaching “across the aisle” is not just a cliché.

Haugen is a lifelong resident of Camano Island, Haddon is heavily involved in community activities. The 10th District is fortunate to have two capable contenders for the Senate seat. But we think that Haugen’s clear edge in experience and effectiveness at the state level should continue to benefit the district’s residents for the next four years.

• Editorials reflect the consensus opinion of the editorial board and are written by its members: Publisher L. Stedem Wood, Editor Don Nelson and City Editor Dick Clever.