When it comes to politics, seemingly all of the attention this year is focused on the presidential election. While the outcome of the presidential race is important, the reality is that local and statewide elections have a far greater impact on our day to day lives. This year, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

In January 2013, Democrats maintained control over the governorship and both chambers of the state Legislature. The result was an overreach of burdensome regulation and on the business community. In 2014, the voters elected a majority of Republicans to the state Senate by a razor-thin 18-17 margin. This majority, no matter the margin, has proven invaluable for the people of the state over the past two years. Under the leadership of now-outgoing President Bill Cadman, Senate Republicans have spent each of the past two legislative sessions serving as the single most important check on overreach in Colorado. Senate Republicans have thwarted countless tax increases and attacks on the energy industry, while simultaneously promoting bipartisan initiatives on everything from education funding, and protecting our veterans.

While many voters are watching the presidential show, I’m intently following the three races that will determine the majority for the Colorado Senate. The Senate will either remain in Republican hands, requiring collaboration and bipartisanship, or we’ll return to a time of one-party rule, and the farthest left agenda will take hold. Insiders agree that the outcome will depend on these three races: Senate Districts 19, 25 and 26.

In District 19, Sen. Laura Woods, R-Arvada, has proven herself to be a tireless warrior for Coloradans’ individual freedoms, oftentimes leading the conservative side of debates on the Senate floor. Woods has surprised her detractors with her optimism, collaboration, pro-business focus and willingness to listen. Her opponent, Rachel Zenzinger of Westminster, actually served in the Senate, through an appointment, before Woods defeated her by a mere 689 votes in 2014. While Zenzinger now wants a ticket back to the Capitol, Woods has been a true citizen legislator and has done more than enough on behalf of her constituents to earn re-election.

The race for Senate District 25 pits current Rep. Kevin Priola against former state Democratic Rep. Jenise May. Priola has served his district with integrity and transparency, going so far as to list the details and outcomes of every bill that he has sponsored on his campaign website. Priola is a tireless advocate for his community, and he brings a wealth of business and education experience to the job. May, like Zenzinger, lost her House seat in 2014. More recently, May has faced ethical questions concerning her working as a taxpayer-funded legislative aide while simultaneously running for office. On matters of both policy and integrity, Priola is the obvious choice.

Senate District 26 offers perhaps the most obvious contrast between the candidates and their respective visions for the state. The Republican nominee, Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Doty, has spent years in service to her community as a commonsense fiscal champion, and she has the voting record to prove it. Her opponent, state Rep. Daniel Kagan, is out of touch with his district. Kagan has been one of Colorado’s most ardent backers of single-payer health care, going so far as contributing money to the doomed Amendment 69 campaign before later coming out against it. He would have a drastically anti-business stance, and Doty would champion business and economic growth. Doty has kept her attention on her constituents throughout her time as a county commissioner, and is certain to do the same in the Senate.

Our research shows consistently that women voters want to elect leaders who will work together, reach across party divides, and develop real solutions to make their everyday lives better. A divided government encourages collaboration, bipartisanship and broad-based solutions. Far left or far right policies simply don’t go far, because both Democrats and Republicans must work together for common purposes. That’s why keeping the Senate in Republican hands is good for Colorado. Both sides of issues will be heard, and our elected leaders will be forced to work together in a collaborative way.

It’s true, all politics is local. No matter what happens between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, these state Senate races will have a far-greater impact on the day to day lives of everyday Coloradans. I am confident that the citizens of our great state will agree.