Standing behind and speaking on behalf of the clergy, Detroit Councilman and Pastor Andre Spivey called the lawsuit filing “frivolous” and intended to “disenfranchise voters” by discouraging Democrats from filing absentee ballots and going to the polls. “We are here from all walks of life to say we support Warren Evans,” said Councilman Spivey.  (Photo by Harry Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

Leader in Wayne County Executive race picks up more endorsements

Canton Twp Trustee files residency lawsuit against Evans

By Karen Hudson Samuels/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT, MI (Tell Us Det) - Tuesday afternoon Warren Evans, frontrunner in the race for Wayne County Executive picked up the endorsement of over three dozen prominent Detroit area pastors. The announcement was delivered at the candidate’s headquarters in downtown Detroit.

The backing of Evans, by the Clergy for a Clean Wayne County, comes in the midst of a lawsuit filed by Republicans who are challenging the former Wayne County Sheriff’s residency.

Canton Township Trustee Tom Yack’s lawsuit claims Evans was not a “qualified elector” in Wayne County on the filing deadline because he hadn’t established residency 30 days prior.

Yack, a Republican and former 20-year Canton Township supervisor, said he is supporting a GOP candidate, Fred Bolden, for the post of Wayne County executive.

Speaking on behalf of the clergy, Detroit Councilman and Pastor, Andre Spivey called the lawsuit filing “frivolous” and intended to “disenfranchise voters” by discouraging Democrats from filing absentee ballots and going to the polls.

Undeterred, the ministers said they are mobilizing forces to make Warren Evans the next Wayne County Executive.

Getting past the lawsuit is not a concern for Evans who said it (the lawsuit) has no value or merit. “I have met all of the requirements to be on the ballot...we’re comfortable with where we are”.

Tell Us Detroit spoke with the Evans campaign manager, a former Chief Judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court, about Republicans getting involved in the primary race for Wayne County Executive.

Judge Rick Kaufman said “There is not one fact that alleged where he slept or kept his possessions to support an argument that he was not a resident of Wayne County, which raises the question, who’s doing this, and why.”

The clergy said it is Evans track record as Sheriff that earned their support, from securing federal dollars, hiring more officers to reducing homicides by 29% and creating such programs as Fresh Start which gives troubled women a second chance.

Evans said he was humbled by the support for his plan to straighten out the county’s finances, improve public safety, create jobs, fix the roads and run a transparent government.

Getting rid of corruption and mismanagement, while bringing transparent governance to residents, is what Warren Evan told the clergy is needed to turn around Wayne County.

“We have to be transparent with the citizens about what we’re doing, why we’re doing it and how we’re doing it, that’s the only way I know how to operate” said Evans and “that’s what we’re going to do”.

In the final weeks of the campaign, Evans said his plan is to “touch the voters,” dealing with people in getting out the message. The primary election is August 5th.

Others who have endorsed Evans include the Detroit Free Press, SEIU Healthcare Michigan, the county’s largest law enforcement unions, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, Dearborn Mayor John O’Reilly, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Operating Engineers Local 324, Government Administrators Association, UFCW Local 876, UNITE HERE, Local 24, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 26, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, The Black Slate, Sen. Bert Johnson, Sen. Tupac Hunter, clergy, the Independent Business Association and Livonia City Council President Maureen Miller Brosnan.