Whether they win or lose today, Election Day, each candidate for public office — from the Soil and Water Conservation Board to the U.S. Congress — deserves our gratitude for being willing to place his or her name on the ballot, go through the campaign process and spend his or her money to get messages out to the voters.

During the filing period and primary process, candidates talked about the need for change. That discourse hit home with many voters who are disillusioned with the status quo when it comes to politics from the local level to the White House and Congress.

Candidates endure scrutiny that many others avoid at all costs. Many candidates put their reputations, personal and professional, on the line. Almost every move they make is fodder for critics. It takes a special type of person to go through such inspection.

The candidates had the courage and conviction to ask for the responsibility of helping govern ourselves. Candidates, whether you were successful or not, accept our thanks for offering yourselves as aspirants to public service.

As for all candidates, successful or not, the public should show its appreciation for their willingness to seek public office and do the work many others turn their backs on and refuse to do.

And as we’ve said before, let us have faith that winning candidates will keep their word.

The electorate has a right to expect winning candidates to keep their promises. Voters unhappy with successful candidates who don’t keep campaign promises can turn those winning candidates into losing candidates in the next election cycle.

It’s easy to promise pie in the sky when seeking votes, but it takes an effort to transform a campaign promise into legislation or a policy that helps the public.

Candidates, we are thankful you threw your hats into the political ring. Winning candidates, we would be even more thankful if you keep your campaign promises.