In the race for the U.S. Senate seat that was held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the decision isn’t a difficult one. California voters can send an experienced, practical, thoughtful and responsible lawmaker to represent them in Washington. Or they can send a former baseball player.

We think the choice is clear. Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) should be California’s next senator. He has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and purpose during some of the difficult moments of the last several years, when it seemed like democracy and the stability of the U.S. government teetered on the edge.

Schiff is probably the most prepared Senate candidate that Californians have considered in decades. He has had a nearly three-decade political career representing Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley communities, first serving in the state Legislature and then in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2001. Before running for office, he was an assistant U.S. attorney and he has retained the methodical, controlled demeanor of a prosecutor.