> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.dailydetroit.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# The Detroit News Breaks Their 143 Year Streak Of Endorsing A Republican For President
- URL: https://www.dailydetroit.com/detroit-news-breaks-143-year-streak-endorsing-republican-president/
- Published: 2016-09-29T14:52:53.000Z
- Updated: 2024-02-27T19:49:36.000Z
- Author: Jer Staes
- Tags: Detroit News, Libertarian, Nolan Finley, #wordpress, #Import 2024-02-25 18:12, #daily-detroit-staff

But they didn’t endorse the Democrat Hillary Clinton, either.

The Detroit News, long known as the conservative-leaning newspaper as far as politics in this town, [decided to throw their support behind Gary Johnson](http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/09/28/endorse-johnson-president/91254412/?ref=dailydetroit.com), the Libertarian nominee for president. It’s the first time the paper has endorsed someone other than a Republican in 143 years for president.

A piece by the editorial board of the paper led by Nolan Finley outlines that Trump “isn’t a conservative.”

> From his protectionist position on trade to his penchant for buying votes with high-price new social programs to his soft spot for hiking taxes, Trump does not meet any true conservative standards.
> 
> Except, of course, of those who wrongly e­quate conservatism with racism, sexism and xenophobia. Trump has attracted support from too many of those who represent the worst of human nature.

Also, they highlight Johnson’s open immigration stance.

> “Make available to anyone who wants to come into this country a work visa,” Johnson says. “And a work visa should entail a background check and a social security card so that applicable taxes get paid. Don’t put the government in charge of quotas. That’s one of the reasons for 11 million undocumented workers.”

[The Detroit News](http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/09/28/endorse-johnson-president/91254412/?ref=dailydetroit.com) joins the Caledonian-Record, New Hampshire Union Leader, Richmond Times-Dispatch and Winston-Salem Journal in supporting Johnson as well as entertainers like Drew Carey, Penn & Teller, Joe Rogan, and Melissa Joan Hart.

If there was any doubt there’s a battle for the soul of what being a Republican means, an endorsement by Finley & crew makes it clear that conservatism has a major split on their hands.

Detroit’s a region that has felt a lot of effects of the economic changes in this country. What are your thoughts? Who are you backing for president, Daily Detroit readers?