Endorsement: Our primary pick for Michigan's 5th Congressional District

From: Detroit News

Here is our recommendation for the partisan primary in Michigan's 5th District, which encompasses southern Michigan.

Incumbent Republican Tim Walberg of Jackson is seeking an eighth term in Congress. The former pastor served in the Michigan House before going to Congress. His focus has been on encouraging job creation and economic growth, and he promises to continue pushing for affordable health care.

His primary opponent is Sherry O'Donnell of Stevensville, a physician who started a medical clinic to serve the poor and uninsured. She is an interesting candidate.

 

But we back Tim Walberg in the Republican primary because of his experience and his willingness to work with Democrats in the Michigan delegation on issues important to the state.

Bart Goldberg of New Buffalo, an attorney who describes himself as a political moderate, is unopposed in the Democratic primary. 

Michigan is a key battleground in the fight for control of the U.S. House this election cycle. The state's current 14 member delegation is divided evenly between Republicans and Democrats.

The state lost a seat to redistricting, and will send 13 members, chosen from newly drawn districts, to the House in January.

Many voters will be casting their ballots in unfamiliar districts when they go to the polls on Aug. 2, and for candidates they know little about.