You make some good points. I would add that almost anything called a “voter guide” is some shallow textureless “checklist” type analysis that refuses to take into account the most important factor: which is what candidate has the chance to actually get things done that you agree with.
In other words, you might well choose someone who agrees with you 90% of the time but has a lot of accomplishments over someone who agrees with you 98% of the time but does not have the success record.
The idea that you have to either go with principles or politics is simply a false choice. It is the lazy cop out. I refuse to cede the premise.
Hear! Hear!