Mike Duggan is The Detroit News' pick for mayor as its editorial board looks past "reservations about Duggan due to his role in the cronyism of the Ed McNamara political machine in Wayne County."
On balance, the paper says in a 670-word editorial, he "will give Detroiters a shot at achieving . . . long-sought stability."
Duggan promises to bring sound management practices to government, and says the key to his success as mayor is to build a competent team. Duggan seems to have done both during his tenure as chairman of the Detroit Medical Center and before that running the SMART bus system.
"Duggan promises to bring sound management practices to government," a News endorsement editorial says. (Photo from Duggan campaign)
And during his service with McNamara, The News notes, "Duggan earned high marks as an effective executive who could knock down obstacles and get things done."
We believe Mike Duggan is best capable of providing . . . leadership.
Duggan is also backed by the Metro Times, which published its endorsement Oct. 9.
Benny Napoleon, also on the Nov. 5 mayoral ballot, is dismissed by The News as "lackluster and "too rooted to the status quo."
The main case the sheriff is making for his candidacy is that he is a lifelong Detroiter who understands the challenges of residents. . . .
The News derides Napoleon's "invitation to former Corporation Counsel Krystal Crittendon to be his deputy mayor."
Crittendon was an obstructionist in City Hall and needlessly slowed the city’s reform efforts with a flurry of lawsuits. Her recruitment calls into question Napoleon’s judgment about the sort of help he will need in running Detroit.
The editorial wraps up by noting that although another year of emergency management will limit the mayor's role, "the reality is that this is a vital election to Detroit’s future."
It will be elected leaders who ultimately determine whether the city emerges from this crisis prepared for a stable future. Voters should understand that the payoff for a electing smart leadership in November will come much later on, when Detroit returns to self-governance.
-- Alan Stamm
