Michael Burgess has a primary election opponent for the first time since 2002, when he won a six-person race for the GOP nomination in the 26th Congressional District. His current challenger, stay-at-home dad James Herford of Keller, fails to make a case for unseating the four-term incumbent. In fact, Herford says Burgess "votes the right way on all the issues."

We wouldn't go that far, since we've parted company with the Lewisville physician on occasion, but Burgess overall has the dedication, energy and breadth of ideas that make him the clear choice in the March 2 primary. The winner of this race will face a Democrat in the fall.

Drawing on his medical background, Burgess, 59, is an evangelist for a conservative approach to health care reforms that would also extend coverage to those who need it. His contribution is invaluable in Washington as leaders grope for proposals that don't break the bank. On the other hand, Burgess dug in against comprehensive immigration reform and a $700 billion boost to the economy in 2008.

In founding the Congressional Health Care Caucus to educate members in policy nuances, Burgess exhibits the kind of leadership that Herford says is missing too often in Washington today.

Herford, 43, formerly a sub-shop owner and IT worker, is a political neophyte who says his defense of free-market principles in Congress "would actually increase polarization." He displays little familiarity with the broadest workings of government.

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