The preservation of farmland has been embraced by a great majority of Skagit County residents, be they rural or urban dwellers. It is fair to say that any candidate for Skagit County commissioner who did not commit to the preservation principle would have a hard time getting elected.

Of the two candidates for District 1 Skagit County commissioner, we see Bill Turner as the best choice to continue the commitment to farmland preservation while keeping in focus the other priorities of government.

Turner has done his homework. He shows an understanding of the key issues — land use, solid waste, water rights, flood control, tribal relations and environmental concerns. His experience as a “green builder” and member of the Anacortes City Council have helped shape his constructive approach to problems.

We agree with Turner, a Democrat, that a strong and well-administered Growth Management Act aimed at forcing more density into urban areas is one of the best tools for saving farmland.

Republican Ron Wesen is a fourth-generation dairy farmer who has been a leader in advocating for the interests of Washington agriculture, especially the dairy industry. We haven’t always agreed with his approach, particularly his support in 2006 of Initiative 933.

As president of the Skagit County Farm Bureau, Wesen backed the measure, misnamed the “property rights” initiative, which would have rolled back land-use laws by 10 years. It would have created a legal nightmare for state and local governments and made hash of environmental regulation.

Fortunately, the state’s voters showed some good sense in defeating the measure 59 percent to 31 percent. Skagit County voters felt even more strongly, with 70 percent against it.

When Wesen says that “it is important to have agriculture represented on the commission,” he ignores the fact that agriculture has always been well-represented, often by commissioners from farming families.

His views on flood control seem ill-considered. On the one hand, he has no objection to Burlington surrounding itself with a ring dike, despite the potential for increasing flooding upriver. On the other hand, he reminds us that some flooding is good in that it brings quality topsoil to the valley floor.

Bill Turner’s approach to flood control and other issues is more comprehensive and shows an understanding of the complexity of effective problem-solving. We think his demonstrated ability to see the big picture will serve the county’s residents well.

• 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. Signed columns reflect the authors’ viewpoint.