There will be major challenges for the next class of California lawmakers, and the state deserves representatives who can work across the aisle to get things done. In two Assembly races representing parts of the San Joaquin Valley, there are a pair of candidates well-prepared for the task.

In the 5th Assembly District, we support Republican Frank Bigelow, the longtime Madera County supervisor. In the 23rd District, we support Republican Bob Whalen, a Clovis City Council member.

Bigelow has the energy needed to represent the sprawling 5th District, which stretches from South Lake Tahoe to south of Mammoth Lakes, and dips into Madera County.

As we said in our primary election recommendation of Bigelow, he is the best candidate for this nine-county district. As a county supervisor, Bigelow understands how legislative actions in Sacramento affect local governments.

In the 23rd District, Whalen, a Fresno County prosecutor, has shown the ability to bring people together. That will be important in working with the Democratic majority in the Assembly.

Whalen has represented the community well over the years, both as a prosecutor and a council member. Whalen was elected to the Clovis City Council in 2003, and served as mayor from 2007 through 2009. He has been a county prosecutor since 1998.

Whalen is running against former Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson, which gives voters in the 23rd District a difficult choice on Tuesday. Both would make outstanding state lawmakers.

The key to Republicans being successful in the Democratic Legislature is to build relationships on issues that can benefit constituents of both parties. Finding this common ground can lead to gathering majority support on Valley issues.

The Democrats haven't always accepted such overtures, and that has been disappointing. But we believe that Bigelow and Whalen will work diligently to improve the plight of their constituents if they are elected on Tuesday.