In every re-election which Frank Wolf has run in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, the Fairfax Times has endorsed him.

Until this year.

In Barnett, a retired Air Force colonel whose most recent job involved advising corporate and government leaders on the information age, we see someone who is tailor-made to lead a district that boasts an array of technological industries and government defense contractors.

We certainly like Barnett’s emphasis on creating and preserving jobs, which includes providing tax incentives for small businesses to expand as well as helping area firms innovate and compete in the global marketplace.

We also like his thoughts on reducing the federal deficit, expanding lifelong education opportunities and leveraging Northern Virginia’s proximity to Washington, D.C., to get more federal road and transit money. As a 26-year military veteran who spent time keeping the peace in some of the world’s hottest war zones, he also has some interesting thoughts on making the U.S. military leaner and meaner.

Frank Wolf, as always, is a good, safe choice.

Jeff Barnett, who radiates energy and optimism, is a better one.

It’s time, after 30 years, and twice where Wolf said he would serve a limited term (and later re-neged), that the 10th District changes for the better.

Jeff Barnett is better.