Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, appointed to the position after the death of L. Brooks Patterson in August, announced today that he will seek election for a full term in 2020.
Coulter made the announcement at Brass Aluminum Forging in Ferndale, the city in which he was mayor from 2011 until his move this summer to the county seat.
A Democrat, Coulter was named to replace Patterson, a Republican, after a controversial and politically charged struggle within the county’s Board of Commissioners following Patterson’s death following a long struggle with pancreatic cancer.
“In just a few short months, I have seen the bright possibilities we can create for our county,” says Coulter. “As I talk to residents, community leaders, and business owners, they are eager for both stability and forward progress. We have an historic opportunity to leverage the tremendous strengths within our county to create the next and best version of Oakland County.
“To build on this momentum, I have decided to seek the full term for county executive next year.”
In his short time as county executive, Coulter points to working with the Board of Commissioners to unanimously pass a balanced three-year budget that “preserves Oakland County’s fiscal strength and reflects core priorities.”
During his announcement, Coulter outlined the priorities of his administration. The first is a new economic strategy for Oakland County that solidifies the county’s cutting-edge reputation for the next five years, and boosts opportunity for everyone in all parts of the county. Another is a plan to improve access to health care services, proactively address the health and well-being of our citizens and leverage the county’s leadership to strengthen community partnerships. Finally, Coulter says he intends to trigger initiatives to uplift the diversity of Oakland County as a source of strength and pride.
“It is also important that we recognize our neighbors in southeast Michigan as partners and open the doors to regional progress,” says Coulter. “Oakland County has a lot to offer the region, just as the region has a lot to offer us. We need to see and act like our futures are intertwined, because they are.”
