Pappageorge earns Detroit News endorsement

Reprinted from the Detroit News July 20th Edition

Editorial: Our picks in state Senate primaries for Oakland County
Progress in Michigan will rely on candidates who are willing to make tough decisions

THE DETROIT NEWS

Oakland County will see some new faces in the Senate and voters will have considerable choices in the upcoming primary, as some of the races are stacked with contenders from both parties. These are our recommendations for candidates who have the best chance of reforming state government and improving the business climate, in contested races:

District 12 (Addison Township, Auburn Hills, Independence Township, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Oakland Township, Orion Township, Oxford Township, Pontiac, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Sylvan Lake, Clarkston and part of West Bloomfield Township): In a six-way Republican primary race, the best choice is State Rep. James Marleau , a fiscal conservative whose 12-step budget-cutting plan includes a proposal to reduce public worker benefits to match those in the private sector. Dermatologist Ted Golden , one of two Democratic candidates, opposes a services tax but would vote to increase the gasoline tax to fix more roads.

District 13 (Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Madison Heights, Royal Oak and Troy): Among three Republicans, incumbent John Pappageorge has been a steady and dependable Senate majority member.

District 14 (Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak Township, Southfield and Southfield Township): Among the six Democrats, we give the edge to Dave Coulter , a self-described "tightwad," who at times has pushed fiscal restraints beyond those called for by County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. Community college student and administrative assistant Robert Vaughan , who favors tax deductions for health insurance premiums rather than mandated coverage, is a good choice among three Republicans.

District 15 (Commerce, Highland, Holly, Lyon, Novi and Milford Townships, part of Northville, Novi, Orchard Lake Village, Rose Township, South Lyon, Walled Lake, part of West Bloomfield Township, White Lake Township, Wixom): Six Republicans are vying for the position. Out of the field of candidates, Mike Kowall , 58, of White Lake, stands out. Kowall would like to see the Michigan Business Tax restructured and to create an environment that attracts new businesses to the state. As he said, the "state loses more business to Indiana than India." Three Democrats are competing in the primary, and Pam Jackson seems the most-qualified choice. She is in favor of repealing the business tax surcharge and restructuring the tax system.

District 26 (part of Genesee County including Atlas Township, Burton, Clio, Davison Township, Forest Township, Grand Blanc, Grand Blanc Township, Mount Morris, Mount Morris Township, Richfield Township, Vienna Township and part of Oakland County including Brandon Township, Groveland Township, Springfield Township and Waterford Township): Four Republicans are vying for the nomination. Our choice is David Robertson , who supports a part-time legislature and has taken a no-tax pledge. On the Democratic side, Jim Slezak is our choice.