Our endorsements for state and county seats

Last week we cast our endorsement for state Representative in the upcoming Aug. 3 Primary Election.

It’s a crowded field of 15 candidates, six of whom are Hamtramck residents. We urged voters to elect Hamtramck City Councilmember SHAHAB AHMED.

This week we move on to the races for state Senate, County Commissioner and for what it’s worth, the Governor.

The Senate race has 10 candidates, with our current state Rep. Bert Johnson being the most prominent one. Johnson has served Hamtramck well enough for the past four years.

He has decided against seeking an easy re-election for one last term as Representative to try his hand in filling the seat being vacated by Sen. Martha Scott, who is being termed out.

We know, it gets confusing.

Johnson seems to have the best grip on issues facing legislators and has proven that he has thrown himself into the role of legislator seriously. We believe that BERT JOHNSON is the best candidate for the job.

Having said that, we also like a lot what Bettie Scott has to offer and she would make a good second choice.

In the Wayne County Commission race for our district, Moe Blackwell is seeking re-election. Blackwell has done an adequate job there, but with the county facing tough financial times, we need someone with deep connections and plenty of experience to navigate through these troubled waters.

That person is MARTHA SCOTT, who has served many years in the state legislature as well as county commissioner and even mayor of Highland Park. That kind of experience will be invaluable in the coming years.

In the Governor’s race, on the Democratic side, we face two disappointing choices. It’s mind-boggling that this is the best the Democratic Party could offer voters.

Both candidates are deeply flawed — Andy Dillon in particular — who seems to have enjoyed playing political games during the tough budget negotiations with his equally challenged partner on the Republican side, Mike Bishop.

The fact that Dillon is against abortion and stem cell research automatically disqualifies him to hold office. Are we really going to take a huge step back and rehash those controversies? Let’s face it, we are never going to make everyone happy when it comes to these hot-button issues.

We need leadership to save Michigan from the current economic crisis. VIRG BERNERO has the best interest of working people. Unfortunately, he is likely to lose if he ends up on the November ballot because it seems voters are fatigued by the Democratic leadership.

What a shame because the Republican candidates are way out of the mainstream and are bankrupt when it comes to progressive ideas to turn this state around.

Be prepared for a one-term governor.