Editorial: Our pick for Congress from the 10th District

The Detroit News Editorial Board

For a guide to The Detroit News endorsements in all races so far, click here.

Michigan's 10th Congressional District is open this year due to the retirement of Rep. Paul Mitchell after just two terms. 

Mitchell, a Republican and successful businessman before entering Congress, has been a consistent conservative and a common sense voice in the House. He'll be missed.

The candidate most likely to carry on in his footsteps is Republican Lisa McClain, a financial services executive.

The 10th District covers Macomb and St. Clair counties as well as much of the rest of the Thumb. 

Republican Congressional candidate in the 10th district Lisa McClain speaks at the  Michigan Trump Victory headquarters in Sterling Heights, Mich. on Aug, 20, 2020.  The Michigan Trump Victory holds a rally and then Trump Victory Leadership Training.

It is home to a strong manufacturing base, a growing defense industry, agriculture and suburban communities. It's also the birthplace of the much discussed Reagan Republicans — union workers who deserted the Democratic Party for the GOP.

The 10th leans conservatives — it went for Donald Trump in 2016 by more than 10 percentage points.

McClain's conservative priorities seem well aligned with those of the district. She promises to work against efforts by the House Democratic leadership to raise taxes and spending in the upcoming session. 

She also supports the Second Amendment and free-market health care. Those will be much needed votes in a Congress that likely will be intent on expanding the role and size of government.

Her Democratic opponent is Kimberly Bizon, a progressive and climate change activist who, like McClain, has never held office.

Lisa McClain is the better fit for this district, and will be a good addition to the Michigan congressional delegation.  

Endorsements are determined independently by The Detroit News Editorial Board and have no influence on news coverage.