Editorial: Our choice for Congress from the 13th District

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

Rashida Tlaib is openly one of the most progressive members of Congress, and because of that, there isn’t much on which we see eye to eye with her. While we do recognize her passion for the residents of her district, we can't support her big government and high tax approach. 

In addition, some of her discourse has been questionable at a time when partisanship and incivility are already making it hard for our elected leaders to get anything done. 

Tlaib, D-Detroit, is seeking her second term representing the 13th District, which includes portions of Wayne County and parts of Detroit. She currently serves on the House Oversight and Reform Committee and House Financial Services Committee.

Republican David Dudenhoefer of Detroit is challenging Tlaib, and we admire his enthusiasm for liberty and promoting conservative ideals to address the concerns of his district, such as better pathways to education and job training, affordable health care and police reform. He's also dedicated to fighting human trafficking.

Dudenhoefer has experience in the Detroit gaming industry, and he’s spent years involved in grassroots politics, and has served as district chair for the 13th Congressional District Republican Committee since 2013. 

He faces a significant uphill battle in this Democratic stronghold, but he offers a more reasonable approach to solving some of the region's most pressing problems while also being mindful of the government's spending addiction. 

As a member of Congress, Tlaib points to how she has opened four neighborhood service centers, in addition to other work surrounding water rights and offering low-income residents assistance to pay their bills — especially during the pandemic. She also authored a law to help protect seniors from fraud, as well as fought for more affordable auto insurance in cities like Detroit. 

Where we differ most from Tlaib is in her push for universal health care and the Green New Deal — policies, which combined with other top priorities, would add tremendously to our national debt. 

Tlaib, like many Democrats, seems to think this shortfall could easily be solved by taxing the rich, closing tax loopholes and ending corporate greed. 

We don’t believe bigger government is the answer, so that's why we think voters should consider David Dudenhoefer.

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