Erin McPike, National Political Reporter for RealClearPolitics, shares the three smartest things she read this week.

Can a Silicon Valley insider save Ohio’s economy? by Tory Newmyer, Fortune
Ohio is central in the election, but also to determining our economic development as a country. This is a great story in Fortune about a Silicon Valley native revitalizing the Ohio economy.

Elite Women Put a New Spin on an Old Debate by Jodi Kantor, New York Times
Especially because we’ve been debating the “war on women,” this is interesting. Obviously our culture has shifted a lot in recent decades, but there’s always room to revisit.

New Volleys in the Gay Parenting Wars by Belinda Luscombe, TIME Healthland
Gay marriage has been a big topic in the national dialogue of late, but here’s perhaps the most critical piece of the issue: families and parenting. This is the more heated part of the debate, and one that politicians aren’t as comfortable talking about.

What are your recommended reads of the week? Tell us in the comments below.

Every Friday, “The Smart Read” features weekly highlights from a guest contributor.