U.S. Senate Republican: Little appears to stand in the way of Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, as he pursues a fifth term in the U.S. Senate. He is one-time Democrat who switched political parties in the early 1990s.

Shelby uses his powerful position — often in times when his party is not in the majority — to bring the bacon home to Alabama, even as he trumpets his opposition to big government spending. His opponent, Clint Moser, a small businessman from Mobile, is running to Shelby’s right.

The Star recommends Richard Shelby.

Democrat: The winner of this race faces a daunting challenge before the November general election — finding a way to overcome a popular and powerful incumbent with a huge war chest.

Simone De Moore is a grade-school teacher and recording artist from Mobile. William G. Barnes is an attorney from Birmingham. Neither has ever been elected to political office.

With both men equally matched, we lean toward Moore’s experience in public schooling. Most senators are former lawyers, and none are former teachers. It would be a refreshing change to have an educator sitting in the U.S. Senate.

The Star recommends Simone De Moore.

Public Service Commission Republican, Place 1: Experience in business and state politics are common themes that run through the GOP candidates for Place 1.

Chris “Chip” Beeker is an appealing candidate to run against Democratic five-term PSC member Jan Cook. Beeker, a Eutaw businessman, served 20 years on the Greene County Commission (1986-2006) and offers a unique mix of entrepreneurial and political experience. While a county commissioner, he also served as chairman of the Alabama Public Works and Rural Transportation Steering Committee. His candidacy is strong.

Beeker will receive stiff opposition from Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, a familiar name in Alabama GOP politics. Cavanaugh, Gov. Bob Riley’s former deputy chief of staff and the former chairwoman of the Alabama Republican Party, nearly defeated Lucy Baxley in the 2008 race for the PSC.

The Star recommends Chris “Chip” Beeker.

Republican, Place 2: Southside businessman Terry Dunn and Mobile realtor Chip Brown bring distinct differences to the GOP side of this race.

Brown’s background in commercial real estate and his time served as chairman of the Baldwin County Republican Party is intriguing. But Dunn’s 25 years of experience as a general contractor in Etowah County give him an upbringing that may serve him well on the state’s utility commission. Dunn also is state licensed in municipal utilities, a trait in his favor. (It’s worth noting that Dunn moved his candidacy from state Treasurer to the PSC after George Wallace Jr. added his name to the Treasurer ballot.)

The Star recommends Terry Dunn.