Saying it does so with "the narrowest of margins, with keen reservations," the Free Press in Sunday's edition endorses Rick Snyder for a second, four-year term as Michigan's governor.
The support is somewhat of a surprise and is certainly a coup for Snyder, who is in a close battle for re-election against Democrat Mark Schauer.
While generally liberal in its editorial opinions and openly hostile to much of the state GOP's conservative agenda, the paper mostly backs Democrats for major offices, but has endorsed a number of Republicans in the past. It backed Snyder four years ago.
"Only one candidate could bring his agenda into practical, achievable focus," the Free Press said. Snyder "is the candidate most likely to build on the state's germinal economic momentum. He's also the candidate instrumental in Detroit's speedy voyage through bankruptcy, toward hopeful rebirth. And yet, our governor still needs to grow into a more sure-footed, principled leader."
Snyder's lead role in putting Detroit into emergency management and subsequent bankruptcy appears to have loomed large in the paper's decision.
It's impossible to overstate Snyder's role in Detroit's nascent financial recovery. There's a palpable sense of optimism about the city these days, a marked change from the pervasive sense of impending financial ruin that has characterized Detroit for the last decade or more.
The decision to guide Detroit into municipal bankruptcy was a rare instance of strong, decisive leadership from our self-described nerd governor, and — because of the strong, historic relationship between the Democratic Party and labor unions — it's the kind of necessary decision-making that we cannot imagine a Democratic governor offering.
The Free Press adds:
And yet, Snyder's first term has been problematic in other ways. The governor balanced the budget at the expense of cities and school districts. His disdain for politics is inappropriate in the state's chief politician; his deficiencies as a deal-maker have sometimes resulted in terrible consequences for Michiganders.
Snyder's record should have opened the door for a strong Democratic challenger
Schauer was not that candidate.
In its worst iteration, a Schauer governorship would be a four-year stall. It is a future we cannot afford.
Click here to read the Free Press endorsement of Snyder four years ago.
