Washtenaw County Democratic Party Executive Board Protests Actions of County Democratic Officeholders
April 29, 2024 – The Executive Board of the WCDP protests the effort by Evan Pratt, Water Resources Commissioner, and Catherine McClary, Treasurer, to hand-pick their successors. Immediately before the final filing deadline on Tuesday, April 23, at 4:00 pm, Commissioner Pratt and Treasurer McClary encouraged two Washtenaw County residents to file to run for election to the positions Pratt and McClary now hold. Shortly thereafter, Pratt and McClary dropped out of the race, ensuring that their chosen successors – Gretchen Driskell for Water Resources Commissioner, and Latitia Lamelle-Sharp for Treasurer — will run unopposed in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, August 6.
Other interested and qualified individuals had passed up the opportunity to file earlier, unwilling to mount primary challenges to unseat respected sitting elected officials.
Through their actions, Pratt, McClary, Driskell, and Lamelle-Sharp have prevented the Democratic voters of Washtenaw County from choosing among a wider pool of qualified Democratic candidates.
The WCDP Executive Board believes that these actions, while legal, display a lack of confidence in the democratic process that is contrary to the principles our party believes in and should practice.
Contact: Theresa Reid, Chair, Washtenaw County Democratic Party
chair@washtenawdems.org, 734-272-3634