Macomb Co. shake-up could pit friend vs. friend

BY CHRISTINA HAL FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Politicians are rolling up their sleeves as they hit a campaign road full of colleagues on the way to establishing a new Macomb County government — a shake-up in which an executive will take daily control from a slimmer board of commissioners on Jan. 1.

It could be friend versus friend in the August primary, especially among Democrats. Many of the 26 sitting commissioners are facing colleagues in their quest for a seat on the new 13-member board.

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Thirty-six people have filed for 13 seats. The filing deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Meanwhile, two-high profile Democrats — Sheriff Mark Hackel and Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco — are battling for executive, leaving both their respective offices wide open.

Republicans are hoping Simon Haddad, chairman of the Macomb County Business Association and deputy director of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, will win the executive post.

The executive seat was created by voters in November as part of an overhaul of county government.

As of Friday, 18 sitting commissioners had filed for 11 of the 13 commission seats. Five have not yet filed to run for office. Three are running for state offices.

Commissioner Carey Torrice, a Democrat, filed for state representative in the 33rd District and county commissioner in the 13th District. She’ll have to withdraw from one race by Friday.

Four Republicans — Commissioner James Carabelli, Fran Gillett, Jerry Khami and Ryan Pettypool — and Democrat Dominic LaRosa filed for the 6th District county commissioner seat.

Commissioners Michael Boyle and William Crouchman, both Democrats, and three Republicans — Phillip Dinsmore, Jack Doerr and Richard Lorant — are fighting it out in the 10th District.

Commissioner Ed Bruley, chairman of the county’s Democratic , isn’t running for office. He said it’s a difficult time because so many commissioners, who know each other well, are pitted against one another in the election.

“I think there are a lot of quality Democrats who are running for office this year. I think we will have a very competitive slate and a good chance in November,” he said.

County Republican Party Chairman Jared Maynard said: “We are fielding candidates that believe government should be constrained. This is the people’s government and the people’s money. It’s time for our elected officials to represent us.”

Contact CHRISTINA HALL: 586-826-7265 or [email protected]