In Karen Thurman, voters in the 5th Congressional District have a conscientious, reliable public servant who understands the needs of her constituents.

The harder the national Democratic and Republican parties work to manufacture bad reputations for their candidates' opponents, the more essential it becomes for voters to remember that reputations -- especially good ones -- are earned, not invented.

In the 5th Congressional District, Karen Thurman has earned a reputation of which she can be proud, one that accurately reflects her record as an effective, socially progressive and responsive member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

After 10 years in office, Thurman, a Democrat, is seeking a sixth term in a district that was redrawn by Republicans for Republicans, who divested the incumbent's Democratic strongholds around Gainesville and western Pasco County. More than half the 436,000 registered voters are new to the district, which includes all or part of Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Polk, Marion, Lake and Levy counties.

Thurman's work in Congress has reflected the diverse views of her constituency. The liberal label her critics so casually pin on her does not jibe with the support Thurman receives from traditionally conservative special interests, notably the National Rifle Association and veterans organizations.

As a member of the minority party, and as a six-year member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Thurman, 51, has learned the necessary political art of compromise. She also has advanced or supports legislation that directly benefits:

-- Seniors (reduced prices for prescription drugs and a 100-percent tax credit for long-term health care insurance policies).

-- Veterans (increased funding that has resulted in more clinics, more doctors, broad coverage).

-- Education (increased funding for needy students and smaller class sizes).

Throughout her tenure in Congress, and as a state senator and city councilwoman before that, Thurman has demonstrated an astute and comfortable understanding of her constituents' needs. She and her staff have worked diligently to solve residents' problems and protect the interests of those who are most vulnerable.

Ginny Brown-Waite, 59, R-Brooksville, is a spirited legislator and shrewd politician whose 10 years as a state senator were highlighted by her occasional willingness to cross party lines. She is a task-master who also has a solid record of constituent service. However, if she is elected to Congress, we expect she will be compelled to abandon the independent attitude she touts, and become yet another conservative foot soldier.

There are three other candidates in this race: Jack Gargan of Cedar Key, Brian Moore of Spring Hill, and write-in candidate David Werder, also of Spring Hill. None has a realistic hope of winning this election, but they could affect the outcome because they are more likely to pull votes from Brown-Waite than from Thurman.

Both parties' national committees have taken a keen interest in the race, and they have shown it by spending generously on advertising campaigns that discredit the other's opponent. Unfortunately, the deceptive, fact-stretching ads distort the truth as much as they do the candidates' characters. Thurman and Brown-Waite should resent the intrusion and disavow the ads.

Voters have a conscientious, reliable public servant in Thurman. We recommend they retain that experience in the 5th Congressional District.

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