While the two Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls, Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schellinger, have been slugging it out in the primary, incumbent Republican Mitch Daniels is unopposed.

Yet when Long Thompson and Schellinger have been throwing punches, many have been aimed at Daniels rather than each other.

Still, there are issues on where the two differ.

Long Thompson's idea for economic development is to create a three-tier system for tax breaks. The poorer a county is, the more lucrative the tax incentives. But to get a tax break, a company would have to pay wages higher than the county average and would have to pay at least half of the employees' health insurance premium.

Schellinger sees quality of life issues, including education, as a bigger draw for businesses than tax abatements. He wants to convince Hoosiers to look at higher education as an investment, not an expense. Companies look at educational attainment, among other factors, in determining where to locate.

On transportation issues like the Illiana Expressway and extending South Shore service, Long Thompson suggests bringing people to the table early to get their input so the public isn't surprised.

Schellinger says the South Shore is environmentally sound, in keeping with his proposal to boost "green collar" jobs that would make Indiana a leader in industries that address the energy crisis. Opportunity has to trump the challenge of funding for the South Shore, he said. But like Long Thompson, he's in favor of building support from the grassroots up instead of handing down a proposal from on high.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two candidates is their background.

Long Thompson has years of government experience, beginning as a Valparaiso City Council member but also including time as a congresswoman and as an undersecretary for rural development issues.

Schellinger is an architect whose firm has built a number of schools across the state.

That background influences their outlook on the state's problems and solutions. Schellinger's strongest selling point is that he has fresh ideas as well as a strong business background.

We endorse Schellinger.

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