Nine of the 13 state House districts that touch Macomb County have competitive primaries on Aug. 4. Voters in the county will be helping decide which party controls a Michigan House of Representatives that currently has a narrow Republican majority.
The districts without competitive primaries on Aug. 4 are the 57th, 58th, 60th and 66th. The candidates in those races will automatically move to the November general election ballot. Here are our endorsements in the remaining races:
11th District (Northeast Detroit, Warren and southern Macomb County): The 11th District covers parts of two counties and moves from the city to outer ring suburbs. Voters have the chance to replace a Democratic socialist ― incumbent Donavan McKinney is running for Congress — with a representative better suited to the district.
The open seat has drawn three Democrats and three Republicans.
In the Democratic primary, the contenders are Cranstana “Gina” Brown Anderson and Kimberly Fisher, both of Detroit, and Michael Howard of Warren.
Anderson describes herself as a community advocate who prioritizes cutting property taxes and auto insurance rates and beefing up the police department.
Fisher founded and runs a Detroit tea house, an experience she says gives her a perspective on the challenges facing small businesses.
Howard is also a small business owner and a Macomb County Commissioner. In his current position, he has focused on road repairs, expanding access to mental health care and improving public safety.
Michael Howard is the Democrat in this race with the experience to give the district an effective voice in Lansing, and gets our primary endorsement.
The Republican primary features Warren residents Eddie Kabacinski, Matthew Stafford and Dale J. Walker.
Kabacinski is a former Warren councilman who in 2024 was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon while running for Macomb County Sheriff. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge.
Matthew Stafford, who shares a name with a famous NFL quarterback, is a former Marine and founder of a family services non-profit that provides food, employment guidance and housing help. That experience, he says, connects him to Michiganians most in need.
Dale Walker, who does not have an apparent campaign website, won an uncontested primary for this seat in 2024 before losing the general election to McKinney.
Matthew Stafford is best suited to represent this district and gets our endorsement in the Republican primary.
12th District (St. Clair Shores, Eastpointe and parts of Detroit): Incumbent Kimberly Edwards of Eastpointe is seeking a third term. The former social worker has been a leader in helping those leaving prison adjust to civilian life. She is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
The Republican primary features two St. Clair Shores residents, Brian Hakola and Randell Shafer.Shafer is a retired Army logistics officer and commander of the VFW post in St. Clair Shores. He previously ran for and lost a state House seat.
Hakola is a licensed home inspector with deep experience in real estate and home construction. Brian Hakola is our choice in the Republican primary.
13th District (parts of Warren, Roseville, St. Clair Shores): Mai Xiong is the Democratic incumbent and is seeking her second full term in the House, after coming to the Legislature in a special election in 2024. She is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Three Republicans are competing to challenge her in November. They are Casey Armitage, Mark T. Foster and Julie Leonardi.
Armitage of Roseville is a lifelong resident of the district and promises to be a voice for blue-collar workers. Leonardi is a school bus driver from Roseville. Foster of St. Clair Shores shows no visible sign of a campaign.
Our endorsement in the Republican primary goes to Casey Armitage.
14th District (Center Line, Hazel Park, Madison Heights and Warren): On the Republican side, Larry Szyska of Warren is running unopposed.
Democratic State Rep. Mike McFall is serving his second term in the House representing this district. He faces challenger Minhaj Chowdhury, a labor advocate and community activist.
Mike McFall has served his constituents well and deserves to be renominated. He receives our endorsement.
59th District (Shelby Township): Jason Robbins is unopposed in the Democratic primary for the seat currently held by Douglas Wozniak, who is stepping down to run for the state Senate.
On the Republican side of the ballot, the candidates are Sylvia Grot, a Macomb County Commissioner, Matt Grubb, a police officer and Jean Zott, who runs her own accounting and tax business.
Of the three, Zott’s experience as a former corporate controller and her long career as a financial manager could help the Legislature keep its budgetary house in order. Jean Zott is our choice in the Republican primary.
61st District (Mount Clemens, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township): Incumbent Rep. Denise Mentzer faces Mahbube Kahn in the Democratic primary. Kahn is an advocate of Medicare for all. Mentzer is an experienced lawmaker who has worked to reduce housing inequity. Denise Mentzer should be renominated.
Seeking to challenge the Democratic primary winner in November are Republicans John Grossenbacher of Mt. Clemens, who works in information technology, and Robert Wojtowicz, a member of the Chippewa Valley Board of Education. We believe Robert Wojtowicz’ background in education makes him the better choice in the GOP primary.
62nd District (Harrison Township, Fraser and parts of Clinton Township, Chesterfield Township, Roseville and St. Clair Shores): Incumbent Rep. Alicia St. Germaine of Harrison Twp. is unopposed in the GOP primary.
The Democratic ballot features Phil Anosike of Fraser, Craig Plesco of Harrison Township and Matthew Smith of Harrison Township. Little information is available about either Anosike or Plesco. Smith is a scientist who has taught chemistry at Macomb Community College and Lawrence Tech. He has been a community volunteer and previously ran unsuccessfully for the Macomb County Commission. Matthew Smith gets our endorsement in the Democratic primary.
63rd District (Northern Macomb and southern St. Clair counties, including New Baltimore, Chesterfield Township and Clay Township): Incumbent Rep. Jay DeBoyer is unopposed in the GOP primary.
Democrats Robert Kelly-McFarland of New Baltimore and Jamie Sonneberger of Chesterfield are competing in their party’s primary. Of the two, Jamie Sonneberger, a member of the Anchor Bay School Board, is the better choice and gets our endorsement in the Democratic primary.
65th District (Parts of Macomb, St. Clair and Lapeer counties, including Yale, Capac, Attica, Richmond and North Branch):
Incumbent Rep. Jaime Greene of Richmond is unopposed in the Republican primary in her bid for a third term.
Seeking to challenge her in November are Democrats James Andonoff of Richmond and James O’Brien of Mussey. Not enough information is publicly available about either candidate to make an informed choice.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Our endorsements in Macomb County state House races
Reporting by The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
