The changing landscape of Macomb County politics took another big turn this afternoon as longtime county Clerk Carmella Sabaugh withdrew her re-election bid, deciding instead to retire.
A Warren Democrat, Sabaugh, 77, had remained mysterious over the past week about her future, even though she had filed to run for a seventh term as clerk. Based on rumors and speculation that Sabaugh may quit, two prominent fellow Democrats, county Commissioner Fred Miller of Mount Clemens and Warren City Clerk Paul Wojno, filed to run for the clerk’s post on Tuesday.
Earlier that day, Sabaugh dismissed suggestions that she would withdraw as “wishful thinking” as she attended a unity press conference of high-level elected Democrats. Today, she endorsed Miller as her successor.
Sabaugh first won election as county clerk in 1992, pulling off a stunning upset of veteran incumbent Edna Miller. She had previously served as Warren city clerk for about a decade.
Her departure creates a major shakeup in the county’s Big Five offices as it comes in the wake of 21-year treasurer Ted Wahby’s death in December. Former state Rep. Derek Miller, Edna Miller’s grandson, was appointed to fill the treasurer vacancy and he now seeks election to that post.
Meanwhile, in the public works commissioner’s race, 24-year incumbent Democrat Tony Marrocco faces a formidable challenge from Republican Candice Miller, who is giving up her seat in Congress.
If Miller (no relation to Derek or Edna) defeats Marrocco, that would add to the massive upheaval underway in county politics.
While the Big Five offices have seen relatively little turnover in the past 50 years, a Miller victory would mean that Prosecutor Eric Smith, assuming he wins re-election against token opposition in November, would emerge as the veteran of the group, having first won office in 2004. Sheriff Anthony Wickersham has held his post for five years. Derek Miller has served as treasurer for about two months. And the new clerk will be a rookie.
As for the two prime contenders for the clerk’s position, Wojno, a former state representative, was re-elected in November as city clerk, a post he will keep if he loses the countywide campaign. But Fred Miller (no relation to Edna, Derek or Candice) gave up his seat on the county Board of Commissioners in his effort to succeed Sabaugh.
He also surrendered a very real chance to become the next county board chairman, as current Chair Dave Flynn made a stunning announcement last week that he is quitting politics at age 30.
As the withdrawal deadline passed at 4 p.m. today, the final lineup for the clerk’s race shapes up this way: In the August Democratic primary, Fred Miller and Wojno will be joined by Denise Doherty of Clinton Township. In the Republican contest, those vying for the GOP nomination are Karen Spranger of Warren, Julie Ann Williams of Mount Clemens, Debra Guenther of Warren, and Sylvia Grot of Shelby Township, wife of Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot.
Here is the statement released by Sabaugh just minutes before the deadline:
Today, I have formally withdrawn my candidacy for re-election to the office of Macomb County Clerk / Register of Deeds. I will honor my oath of office and serve out the rest of my term (through Dec. 31).
The decision to retire from the job I love was heartfelt and extremely difficult for me. After 23 years, I am still passionate about going to work and serving the people of Macomb County. When I filed for re-election this year, I had every intention of running. While my health is good, and I still feel energetic and able to do my job, I am 77 years old. I discussed with my family how much I will enjoy spending my retirement with my children and grandchildren.
The process has not been ideal, but this is Macomb County politics after all! I came to office in 1993 as a result of bold action. I commend the bold action taken by those who recently filed to run for clerk / register of deeds.
I am so grateful for the trust and confidence the voters of Macomb County have had in me over my six terms of office as County Clerk and my entire career in public office. I feel good knowing the many improvements our union employee team and I have made at the clerk’s office. I fought hard to improve the efficiency, accessibility and performance of the entire office.
I am proud of our record of innovation, earning 59 National Association of Counties awards for good government, and using technology to provide better, faster, and more convenient service to the residents of Macomb County. My team’s record includes customer evening hours, online campaign finance disclosure, competitively bidding election supplies, overnight delivery, free transportation for jurors plus other jury room innovations, real estate fraud prevention such as the register of deeds “super index,” kiosks, bringing Google technology to county government, veterans photo ID cards, online absentee ballot tracking, holding county clerk office hours inside Secretary of State offices, virtual queuing, credit card and electronic payment acceptance, wireless Internet, and much more.
The customer service my union staff provides is outstanding! The Macomb County Clerk / Register of Deeds Office is a model for the state in several areas. At the end of the year, I will be leaving the office in great shape, for the person the voters ultimately pick.
I am making an endorsement because it is very important to me to do everything I can to make sure this office continues in the same innovative way to serve the people of Macomb County, as we have done so well for the last 23 years.
I am endorsing a Democrat for clerk / register of deeds because party affiliation matters. Anyone who claims party labels do not matter ignores history. Democrats passed the Voting Rights Act and the Motor Voter law. Democratic county clerks fight for voting rights. Republicans fight against no reason absentee voting, online voter registration, straight-ticket voting and other common sense voting rights reforms.
At this time there are two qualified Democrats for clerk / register of deeds. I thought hard about which candidate would be best suited to recommend to carry on the work I have done. Fred Miller is the best and strongest person to keep the office moving forward.
Some officials silently accept big raises, but Fred Miller spoke out and voted against pay raises given to elected officials that exclude union members. Some officials silently accept weak ethics policies, but Fred Miller was the chief architect of Macomb County’s bold ethics policy, which outlaws nepotism, corruption and graft.
Over many years, I worked closely with Fred Miller at the state and county levels on clerk / register of deeds issues, and when I was a candidate for Michigan Secretary of State. Fred Miller testified with me to pass the mortgage redemption law that lets my register of deeds office help homeowners save their homes from foreclosure. Fred Miller was with me when we launched our online concealed pistol license application system, protecting Second Amendment rights.
Fred Miller’s positions on protecting voting rights, protecting private property rights and consumer protection issues are the same as mine. Fred Miller has a strong pro labor record and respects the collective bargaining process used by my employees. These reasons, and the reputation Fred Miller earned as a county commissioner and former state representative, make him my obvious recommendation to succeed me.
I will never forget the honor it has been to serve the people of Macomb County for six terms over the last 23 years. When I first ran for Warren City Council in 1975, I was a young mother of five who just wanted to make a positive difference in my community. I could never have imagined the challenges we have overcome and accomplishments we have made. I could not have done this without the public, my supporters and our many outstanding public employees.
I thank my union staff for their great service to Macomb County residents. I thank the voters for giving me the wonderful opportunity to serve!
Sincerely,
Carmella Sabaugh
