Editorial: Our picks for Oakland County state House

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

Oakland County voters will be choosing representatives to the state House in the Nov. 3 election. Here are our recommendations in those races:

26th District (Royal Oak and vicinity): Democratic incumbent Jim Ellison is seeking a second term. A traditional progressive, he has proven well suited to his district and should be reelected. His Republican opponent is Chris Meister, a conservative with a focus on property rights. 

27th District (Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge area): This is an open seat. Our choice is Democrat Regina Weiss, an educator and Oak Park councilman, who has political experience in the district. The Republican is Elizabeth Goss, whose emphasis is on education.

29th District (Pontiac, Auburn Hills): Democratic incumbent Brenda Carter is seeking a second term, and should be reelected. She’s an advocate for housing and health care, and brings maturity to the Legislature. Republican S. Dave Sullivan did not return our questionnaire.

35th District (Southfield, Franklin and vicinity): Democrat Kyra Harris Bolden is the incumbent running for a second term. She is an attorney who has advocated for criminal justice reform, with a particular focus on elderly inmates. She should be reelected. The Republican is Daniela Davis of Beverly Hills. 

37th District (Farmington): In this open seat, we prefer Democrat Samantha Steckloff, a Farmington City Council member, for her governing experience, over Republican Mitch Swoboda, a veteran and former insurance agent. 

38th District (Novi, Northville) Republican Chase Turner of Novi is the choice in this open seat. He is a strong advocate for transparency in government, something Michigan sorely needs. The Democrat is Kelly Breen, a Novi City Council member.

39th District (West Bloomfield and vicinity): Republican incumbent Ryan Berman should be returned for a second term. He worked to protect nursing home patients during the COVID-19 crisis and for a safe restart to the school year. The Democrat is Julia Pulver, a registered nurse.

40th District (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills) Incumbent Democrat Mari Manoogian is seeking a second term and should get it. She has proven to be a bright and energetic lawmaker who is gaining prominence in her party. The Republican is businesswoman Kendra Cleary of Bloomfield Hills.

41st District (Troy): Padma Kuppa is the Democratic incumbent seeking a second term. She has been effective as a freshman, and should be reelected over her Republican opponent, Andrew Sosnoski. 

43rd District (Clarkston): Incumbent Republican Andrea Schroeder should be returned to the Legislature for a second term. She was voted by her colleagues as one of the most effective members of the freshman class. She has focused the Legislature’s attention on electric vehicle infrastructure. Her Democratic opponent is Nicole Breadon, 

44th District: (Milford area): Matt Maddock, the Republican incumbent, has been a leading voice in his party’s caucus. He’s pushed for insurance reform and lowering the tax burden. Maddock should get a second term. The Democrat is Denise Forest.

45th District (Rochester): This open seat should go to Republican Mark Tisdel, a Rochester Hills City Council member and business owner. The Democrat is Barb Anness, a member of the Rochester school board who promises to be a champion of education and small businesses. 

46th District (Oxford and vicinity): Republican incumbent John Reilly should be returned for a third and final term. He ran a handyman business before coming to the Legislature, where he has championed Second Amendment rights. The Democrat is Jody LaMacchia, who has worked in a variety of service jobs.

51st District: (Fenton area): Mike Mueller is the Republican incumbent and should be returned for a second term. He is a member of the Livingston County Sheriff's department and brings an important law enforcement perspective to the Legislature. His Democratic opponent is Brad May, a substance abuse and mental health clinician. 

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