Former Washtenaw County commissioner endorses Christine Green in state House race
A former Washtenaw County commissioner from Scio Township is taking sides in the 52nd District state House race.
Richard DeLong announced today he is supporting Democrat Christine Green, an attorney from Scio Township, over her opponent, Republican Mark Ouimet, the county's 1st District representative on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners.
DeLong said his decision comes, in part, in response to recent claims that Ouimet may have improperly billed the county for more than $16,000 in per diems and mileage reimbursements for attending various meetings around the county from 2005 to 2009. Ouimet maintains he followed all county policies and is calling for an independent analysis of the expenses.
DeLong, now a Scio Township trustee and a Democrat, released the following statement:
Christine Green and Mark Ouimet are in a heated race to replace state Rep. Pam Byrnes in the state House's 52nd District, which covers much of western Washtenaw County.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
I was proud to serve as a Republican member of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners from 1993-2002, representing much of the same portion of the county as Mark Ouimet does now. This November, I will be enthusiastically voting for Democrat Christine Green for state representative and not for Mark, her Republican opponent.I will do this, because I am certain that Christine will be an excellent representative for our community in Lansing. Christine and I presently serve together on the Scio Township Board of Trustees, where I have been able to observe her keen grasp of issues — from economic development to the environment, education and government reform — as well as her deep commitment to the community, her intensely hard work and her absolute integrity.
I will also be doing so because of my profound disappointment in Mark. Like many others, I’ve seen Mark show up at events and meetings all over the community, even if it wasn’t exactly clear why he was there, except to be seen. This has happened at some of our trustee meetings. That’s okay, I guess; it’s what politicians do. Unfortunately, I was appalled to learn in recent days that, frequently, when Mark showed up at these events, he was billing the taxpayers of Washtenaw County $25, plus mileage, for doing so, in violation of county rules. As both a commissioner and a trustee, I have viewed elected office as an opportunity to serve my community, not as a chance to further a political career or to line my pockets. Christine fully shares that view, and acts upon it. I don’t think Mark does.
An old expression says “there’s a difference between a show horse and a workhorse.” It has become clear that Mark is a show horse, and the act is getting old. Please join me in supporting Christine Green for state representative, where she’ll be a true workhorse for all of us.
The Washtenaw County Republican Committee is standing up for Ouimet, saying he shouldn't be penalized for potentially violating rules that were unclear in years past. The GOP also argues that Ouimet's expense records, showing his attendance at hundreds of meetings around the county, are evidence of his strong work ethic as a commissioner.
Ouimet points out that he recently was endorsed by the Michigan Townships Association over his opponent, who is a township official. He also is endorsed by the Small Business Association of Michigan, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Association of Realtors, Michigan Association of Home Builders, and the Michigan Restaurant Association.
DeLong, 83, is a lifelong Washtenaw County resident with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan. In his professional career, he was an industrial engineer and management consultant in both the private and public sectors.
He has served as Scio Township's supervisor, executive director the Scio Township Downtown Development Authority and on the Scio Township Planning Commission. He also has served on more than a dozen local government and civic boards, commissions and agencies, including the Huron River Watershed Council and the Humane Society of Huron Valley.
DeLong also is throwing his support behind Democrat Adam Zemke in the 1st District race to fill Ouimet's shoes on the county board. Zemke, an aerospace manufacturing engineer and assistant business development manager at Demmer Corp., is up against Republican Rob Turner, an electrical contractor, on Nov. 2.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Gulo gulo
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 3:09 p.m.
I'm with Macabre Sunset. It should say "Christine Green endorsed by fellow Scio Township Trustee."
Rod Johnson
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 1:28 p.m.
A lot of folks in Scio, where Dick DeLong is very well known, care. Even if Ouimet is not technically guilty of any impropriety, his routine of making cameo appearances at public meetings he has no real role at is more about politics than public service. Billing the public for unofficial campaign appearances is ethically pretty sketchy. Thanks to Dick for pointing this out. "Work horse vs show horse" captures it well.
Mick52
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.
What a shocker. Who cares who Richard Delong supports?
Ryan J. Stanton
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 10:56 a.m.
Here are two items of interest on the site and in today's paper: 1. AnnArbor.com's endorsement of Mark Ouimet: http://www.annarbor.com/news/opinion/annarborcoms-endorsements-for-52nd-house-district-and-15th-congressional-district-seats/ 2. A guest column we carried from the Washtenaw County GOP defending Mark: http://www.annarbor.com/news/opinion/democrats-attack-commissioner-for-working-too-hard/
jcj
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 9:14 a.m.
David I would not say Mr DeLong has no core principles. If it were so obvious that either the Democrats or Republicans are always right then we would have a one party in office longer than is the norm. Everyone should certainly support whichever parties policies ring true with what is important to them. If that means switching parties at some point in their life so be it. The problem is there are VERY few politicians on either side that are willing to express their OWN views if it goes against the party line! I said you've "never seen a Democrat he would not vote for and has never seen a Republican he would vote for." Would you care to mention one republican you have ever been willing to say was good for the people?
InsideTheHall
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 9:08 a.m.
This is like getting an endorsement from Arlen Spector and a non story.
InsideTheHall
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 9:07 a.m.
Common on Ryan this is very misleading and needs to be changed. Do the right thing. This is almost as bad as if you had stated "Former Stripper runs for State Rep"
David Briegel
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 8:30 a.m.
xmo, Maybe it was his core principals and values that caused Mr. DeLong to leave the failed Republican policies behind. You might want to ask him.
Huron74
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 7:35 a.m.
Given that this person is now a Democrat this endorsement is worthless.
jcj
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 5:58 a.m.
David Your statement."Wow, an honest Republican" Is not accurate given the fact that We now know Mr DeLong is an elected Democrat! Ryan This makes you look VERY unworthy of any title close to a journalist!
David Briegel
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 12:43 a.m.
jcj, The extreme mental gymnastics used by Republicans to justify their defense of Mark is what I was referring to. Your other statement is simply not accurate. Again I suggest you re-read Mr DeLong's statement. "Workhorse vs. showhorse" indeed. I still find it amazing that otherwise fiscal conservatives just cannot bring themselves to bring that philosophy to this subject while finding fault with everything and everyone who speaks on these issues!
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 11:56 p.m.
Clarity would be changing the headline to Scio Township Democrat endorses Green. But that would defeat your purpose in running the story. I'm really disgusted, Ryan. And, no, I'm not a Republican.
Ryan J. Stanton
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 11:36 p.m.
Sorry if that wasn't clear enough before. I added "and a Democrat" to one of the sentences, so there should be no confusion now.
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 11:25 p.m.
The headline and story make no mention that DeLong is an elected Democrat official. I think this is a new low for this blog. This is really shameful.
a2law
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 11:05 p.m.
Ryan, Please do you homework. DeLong is currently an elected DEMOCRAT Scio township trustee. Your headline should read, "Current Democrat trustee endorses democrat candidates for state representative and county commissioner." ho-hum...
jcj
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 10:59 p.m.
Tom I was referring to the post by David Briegel. I should have made that clear. But I am sure Mr Briegel knew what I meant since he has never seen a Democrat he would not vote for and has never seen a Republican he would vote for.
Tom Wieder
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 10:41 p.m.
jcj- Where in what Dick DeLong said is anything that implies that all Republicans are dishonest?
jcj
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 8:58 p.m.
I tend to agree that Mark Ouimet's actions are cause for concern. But to infer that Republican's are inherently dishonest is very childish for such an old man.
Mr. Ed
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 8:35 p.m.
I support Mark Ouimet, he's getting my vote. Mark is a workhorse!