The winner of the 7th Congressional District's Republican primary is almost certain to go to Washington.

Voters in that Aug. 3 race will choose one of six candidates who, taken together, share a wealth of experience.

But one candidate's experience, knowledge and ability dwarf the others'. Joe Schwarz is an exemplary choice to be the 7th District's next congressman.

We warmly endorse JOE SCHWARZ.

Make no mistake, Schwarz is a moderate Republican. In fact, some of his more conservative rivals call him a John McCain "clone."

Schwarz, a friend of the Arizona senator's, should wear that as a badge of honor. Neither man is in lockstep with his party. Both are independent thinkers. Their instinctive approach to politics is statesmanship first, partisanship second.

Schwarz has an abiding worldview forged by an array of remarkable life experiences.

He has been the mayor of Battle Creek. He served with distinction for 16 years in the Michigan Senate.

He is a Vietnam veteran, a former Naval Intelligence officer and remains a practicing physician.

It's fair to say his background is steeped with knowledge that should be indispensable in Congress - ranging from U.S. intelligence gathering to health care to how to thoughtfully balance a budget.

He hopes to make education and health care his priorities in Congress. But while he maintains greater flexibility on government aid programs, Schwarz is a fiscal conservative who decries the lack of spending discipline in Congress.

Others in this GOP primary race are Rep. Clark Bisbee of Jackson, Rep. Gene DeRossett of Manchester, former state Reps. Paul DeWeese of Eaton Rapids and Tim Walberg of Tipton, and attorney Brad Smith of Addison.

The State Journal does not normally endorse in primary elections. Our editorial board has made an exception this time.

For one thing, this primary is arguably Michigan's only competitive congressional race this year. That's largely due to redistricting, which has created a host of "safe zones" for incumbents of both major parties.

The weight of history also comes to play in our thinking. This a critical moment in U.S. history. Terrorism, the aftershocks of the Iraq war, uncontrolled spending, the health care crisis - such issues require the most experienced statesmen the country can find to serve in Congress.

Schwarz is such a man.