Editorial: Primary picks for Legislature from Oakland

The Aug. 2 primary is around the corner, and voters in Oakland County have several contested legislative districts, but the primary challengers in most cases aren’t likely to unseat the incumbents. Only one seat is open. These are two-year terms.

District 27 (Berkley, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge and Royal Oak Township): Republicans Kyle Forrest of Oak Park and Stefan Graziano of Ferndale are running against incumbent Democrat Robert Wittenberg, who is uncontested. Neither GOP candidate returned our questionnaire, nor are they running much of a campaign, so we withhold an endorsement in this race.

District 29 (Auburn Hills, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Pontiac and Sylvan Lake): On the Republican side, Peter Trzos of Keego Harbor gets a slight nod over Garren Griffith of Auburn Hills. Trzos believes in limiting government spending and runs a small business called Hemp Well. Democratic incumbent Tim Greimel is not contested and isn’t likely to get unseated by his GOP opponents.

District 37 (Farmington and Farmington Hills): Two candidates are competing in this district but neither Republican candidate returned our questionnaire, so we are withholding an endorsement in this race. Plus these candidates seem unlikely to oust first-term Democratic incumbent Christine Greig, who is uncontested in the primary.

District 38 (Lyon Township, part of Northville, Novi, Novi Township, South Lyon and Walled Lake): First-term GOP incumbent Kathy Crawford of Novi is seeking another term and she should get it. She faces a challenge from Carson Daniel Lauffer of Walled Lake, who is a minister and professor. Two candidates are facing off in the Democratic race. Amy McCusker, of New Hudson, gets our support. She is vice president of the South Lyon Community Schools Board of Education, a political consultant and community services director for Wixom.

District 41 (Clawson and Troy): On the Republican side, incumbent Martin Howrylak of Troy seeks a third term, and since he isn’t facing much of a challenge in Ryan Manier, he is the best choice. Democratic candidate Cyndi Peltonen is uncontested.

District 45 (part of Oakland Charter Township, Rochester and Rochester Hills): Republican incumbent Michael Webber of Rochester Hills is seeking a second term and there’s not much stopping him. He is uncontested in the primary and the two Democrats running against him aren’t likely to oust him. Ted Golden, a dermatologist from Rochester Hills, has run unsuccessfully for office several times, but he’s the better candidate.

District 46 (Addison Township, Brandon Township, part of Oakland Charter Township, Orion Township and Oxford Township): Two Republicans are looking to replace GOP incumbent Brad Jacobsen, who is term-limited. Joe Kent of Lake Orion is a tax accountant and small business consultant and he gets our support. The Democratic primary is uncontested.