AnnArbor.com announces endorsements for Senate and House primaries
In this summer of discontent, expect voters to be in a sour mood as they go to the polls on Aug. 3 to decide primary races. Much of that frustration will be focused on the state Legislature, where excessive partisanship and political posturing have continually led to inaction on important issues facing the state.
Clearly, people want better results from the representatives they send to Lansing, and as a result of term limits, there are a number of open seats and plenty of candidates to choose among.
Normally, our policy for endorsing candidates in races for the state House or Senate will be to wait until the general election, unless there is only one contested primary, the winner of which would run unopposed in the fall. Other than that, we will let voters choose who to nominate for their respective parties, then make endorsements for the November election.
However, we are making two exceptions to that rule. There are two key Democratic primaries that feature races between particularly well-qualified candidates. Given the caliber of the candidates and the likelihood that these two primaries will be decisive in what are heavily Democratic districts, we have chosen to endorse in these two primaries, rather than wait until the fall.
The Democratic primary for state Senate in the 18th District features state Reps. Pam Byrnes and Rebekah Warren and challenger Thomas Partridge seeking the seat currently held by Liz Brater, who is term-limited. In the state House 53rd District, Washtenaw County Commissioner Jeff Irwin and Ned Staebler, vice president of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., are running for the seat being vacated by Warren.
In these hotly contested and closely watched races, we see four highly credible candidates, all of whom would serve Ann Arbor well in the Legislature. They possess a strong grasp of local and state issues, and they all have demonstrated the ability, or at least the potential, to rise above the partisanship that has plagued the Legislature and work across party lines to get things done.
In the state Senate race, we’re particularly impressed by Warren’s efforts on issues of taxation and the environment, including her work on the Great Lakes Compact. Byrnes also has been engaged in those and other issues, and has a track record of working with Republicans to get legislation through the House. One recent success was the signing of her legislation allowing people to sell food that’s made and packaged in home kitchens.
Pam Byrnes
Both Warren and Byrnes have been hardworking, and we wish Ann Arbor could keep both of them in the Legislature. Endorsing one over the other is a tough call, particularly when they have similar positions on many key issues, from reducing corrections spending to encouraging the consolidation of public school districts.
But our nod narrowly goes to Byrnes for a couple of reasons. Over more than three decades, she’s been broadly engaged in the local community, and we think that deep familiarity with Washtenaw County and its residents would be an advantage as she serves in the Senate. We also think these incredibly challenging times call for a willingness to break with the status quo, and make tough, politically difficult decisions.
Whether it's voting in favor of school reforms aimed at helping Michigan land federal “Race to the Top’’ dollars or controversial changes to teacher pensions, Byrnes has demonstrated she’s willing to cast politically unpopular votes in the cause of real reform. We endorse Pam Byrnes in the Democratic primary for the 18th District state Senate seat.
Jeff Irwin
We found it equally difficult to choose between Ned Staebler and Jeff Irwin in the race for the state House 53rd District. These are two smart candidates with impressive resumes, and we’re hard-pressed to find differences between them on key issues.
Irwin has spent 11 years in the trenches of county government, dealing directly with many of the basic services that the state provides funding for. His previous role as executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters makes him particularly well-versed on environmental issues.
In contrast, Staebler has a strong background in private business. A graduate of Harvard and the London School of Economics, he worked in banking and finance before joining the MEDC. He also comes from an impressive political lineage. His great-grandfather was mayor of Ann Arbor and his grandfather served in Congress.
As much as we think the Legislature would benefit from having someone with Staebler’s background in business and economic development, we back Irwin in this race. We’re impressed by the way he’s continually rolled up his sleeves on local issues and done the kind of hard work behind the scenes that other politicians aren’t always willing to do. We also find that his tenure on the county board has exposed him to a broader range of issues, and that knowledge gives him a good chance of quickly becoming effective in Lansing. For these reasons, we endorse Jeff Irwin for state House in the 53rd District Democratic primary.
(Next Sunday, we will offer endorsements in Ward 1 and Ward 4 for Ann Arbor City Council, and in the Ypsilanti mayoral race. In cases where there will be a contested race in November, including Ann Arbor’s mayoral and Ward 5 races, we will endorse in the general election. The community members of the Editorial Board, David Mielke and Marsha Chamberlin, did not participate in endorsement interviews and were not involved in our endorsement decisions.)
Comments
Scott Spector
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 2:15 p.m.
I expected a retraction of this endorsement by now, in light of the story that broke in AnnArbor.com this week, revealing that the current smear campaign against Rebekah Warren and supporting Pam Byrnes was dreamed up and financed by a right-wing PAC funded by Dick DeVos among other extreme right luminaries. Even if Byrnes cannot be held responsible for their actions--and she has not made any statement distancing herself from the campaign or claiming lack of foreknowledge of it--the fact of this support from the extreme right wing of the opposing party signals to Democrats in our city and across the region that it is Rebekah Warren who will stand up most for Democratic values and who threatens potential Republican competition. She is supported by labor in this state and has a perfect record on supporting reproductive choices for women, two excellent reasons for DeVos &co to despise her. What are your reasons?
Ed Kimball
Wed, Jul 21, 2010 : 8:37 a.m.
I don't understand why AnnArbor.com chose break its normal policy of waiting for the general election in two primaries in which it admits the choice is an extremely close call. Why bother?
Yesi
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 9:53 p.m.
@truenorth1 party of the reason that we're in this fiscal mess is because of term limits, and the people who actually know how to handle the economy keep being thrown out of office. I also wanted to say that it is a real disappointment that AnnArbor.com didn't endorse Rebekah Warren, although i totally agree with Jeff Irwin endorsement. I cannot believe that they are supporting a woman who voted to seriously reduce the salaries/benefits of teachers, and praising her for it. Rebekah has been the right choice for Ann Arbor for the past three years, and she'll definitely be the right choice for the 18th district.
truenorth1
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 9:47 a.m.
Oh, I see. Politics as un-usual in the Socialist Republic of Ann Arbor. Now the local press is party-line-endorsing the same backscratching politicians who drove the fiscal bus into the wall. I think these good folks should receive pink slips and we should bring in all new hires!
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 8:23 p.m.
Normally, our policy for endorsing candidates in races for the state House or Senate will be to wait until the general election, unless there is only one contested primary, the winner of which would run unopposed in the fall. Other than that, we will let voters choose who to nominate for their respective parties, then make endorsements for the November election. However, we are making two exceptions to that rule. There are.... well-qualified candidates. Given the caliber of the candidates... we see four highly credible candidates, all of whom would serve Ann Arbor well... They possess a strong grasp of local and state issues, and they all have demonstrated the ability, or at least the potential, to rise above the partisanship that has plagued the Legislature and work across party lines to get things done" If they are all so qualified why do feel the compulsion to break your own rule and throw your opinion out? And am I reading this correctly that it is the opinion of you and Matt Kraner?
votea2
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 8:02 p.m.
Thank you AnnArbor.com for your analysis. I was pleasantly surprised to see your endorsement of Jeff Irwin - the seemingly more liberal candidate based on their backgrounds. I give you credit for an analysis that takes into account Jeff's hard work at the county and his ability to get things done without seeking all the glory.
DagnyJ
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 4:32 p.m.
Will Laurel Champion not participate in endorsements in the mayor's race and others because of her relationship with them on various community boards?
JimFuester
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 10:06 a.m.
While I understand the underlying concept of Term Limits for office holders, it is unfortunate that in times like this it forces qualified individuals to vacate. Both Liz Brater and Rebekah Warren are excellent public servants. That said, I'm glad to have, as well as sad, to choose between two such viable and excellent candidates. Thank you to AnnArbor.com for their endorsement of both Pam Byrnes and Jeff Irwin. While liking all parties involved in the primary race, it has helped to solidify my choice. The Ann Arbor area will be well served with both Byrnes and Irwin in place with their experience and ability to work cooperatively on both sides of the aisle. I also hope to see from AnnArbor.com support of Christine Green, Democrat, running for 52nd District. I believe Christine Green shares some similarities to Jeff Irwin & Pam Byrnes- some years of practical experience in local politics, and a down to earth and practical approach to issues, as well as the ability to listen to their constituents. Ms. Green's many years experience as an attorney interacting with Local & State level laws has given her a valuable knowledge of what is needed in Lansing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anyone can read more about Christine Green at her website: votechristinegreen.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ While I do not know if Christine Green and Jeff Irwin know each other, I do know Ms. Green personally and professionally, and from what I've read about Mr. Irwin (who I do not know) I can predict that they would be terrific working partners as neighboring district representatives in Lansing. Christine Green's work track record, and her recent years experience with Scio Township Board of Trustees, and various committees, along with SOS Community Service, and Planned Parenthood-- to mention but a few of her activities-- all add up to wonderful experience to take to Lansing! The voters of the area could not be better served than with the election of Pam Byrnes to the Senate, and Jeff Irwin & Christine Green to the House of Representatives for their districts!
Anon E Muss
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.
"[Irwin's] previous role as executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters makes him particularly well-versed on environmental issues." Ann Arbor.com 7-18 _____________ "The [League of Conservation Voters] chose to endorse Staebler over Irwin, saying he has demonstrated a thorough understanding of the environmental issues central to its cause. "Michigan LCV is dedicated not only to supporting environmental advocates to the Legislature, but identifying and electing true leaders on the issues. We believe Ned is such a leader," Bob Martel, president of the LCV's board, said in a statement." Ann Arbor.com 7-16 _____________
DagnyJ
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 9:36 a.m.
Tony, you note who is NOT participate in the endorsements. Can you tell is who IS on the editorial board? And can you provide both who participates and who does not for future endorsements? Thanks.