Oakland County voters will see two major party candidates on their ballot under the race for Oakland County Executive.
Democratic Oakland County Executive David Coulter is seeking a full, four-year term against Republican challenger Mike Kowall.
Coulter, a Ferndale resident, defeated Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner in the August primary receiving 109,599 votes. Kowall, a White Lake Township resident, defeatedhis primary opponent, Troy-based attorney Jeffrey Nutt with 91,359 votes.
Coulter was appointed to the position on Aug. 16, 2019 by the Democratic majority county board of commissioners to finish out L. Brooks Patterson's term, which expires Dec. 31, 2020. Patterson died Aug. 3, 2019 following a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Oakland County Executive David Coulter
The Ferndale resident has a long historywith Oakland County including serving as Ferndale's mayor from 2011 through 2019 and as a county commissioner from 2002 through 2010.
During his time as mayor, Coulter also worked full-time as director of external relations for the Children's Foundation of Michigan. For 13 years, he was employed by the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, which is now DTE Energy, working in communications.
Kowall served in the State Senate, including three years as Senate majority floor leader, from 2011 through 2018 representing the 15th District. He also served as a state representative from 1999 through 2002 representing the 44th District.
Mike Kowall
From 2004-2010, he served as White Lake Township supervisor. He also served 13 years on the township's planning commission. In January 2019, Kowall was hired by L. Brooks Patterson to serve as an economic and legislative liaison with the Oakland County Department of Economic Development before leaving the position in October 2019.
The Oakland Press reached out to each candidate with questions pertaining to their candidacy. Responses to those questions are detailed below.
To access coverage for additional federal and Oakland County election races, visitwww.theoaklandpress.com/news/elections/. The presidential general election is being held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Coulter: Oakland County is in the middle of a dangerous pandemic that we must continue to manage and recover from economically. I want to continue to lead Oakland County as Executive to maintain our science-based approach to suppressing the virus so we do not regress, support our residents hard hit by the economic downtown, help our small businesses recover and our schools operate safely. I also want to continue delivering results for residents including transforming our county health clinics to provide primary care and mental health services, creating a new economic development and workforce strategy that brings opportunity to all of our residents, a new housing strategy that provides rental assistance, and an environmental policy that creates a sustainability office and addresses climate change. I have achieved results while maintaining strong fiscal policies, approving a three-year balanced budget and retaining the countys AAA bond rating. For more information about my comprehensive platform for Oakland County, please visit http://www.davecoulter.com.
Kowall: I am running for Oakland County Executive to reestablish economic security, not only for our county government, but also for our families and businesses that makes Oakland County the best place to live in Michigan. I will fight any proposal that adds additional taxes on Oakland County Citizens for programs, or ill-conceived Transit Systems. I will maintain fiscal restraint, and responsibility and stop wasting money on political pet projects. I will maintain a AAA Bond rating allows us to bond for infrastructure programs and fix our roads at a lesser expense.
Coulter: These times call for a leader who listens, works well with people, and has the executive experience to make decisions on a wide range of pressing issues. I was a unifying voice after the passing of L. Brooks Patterson and my collaborative leadership style has allowed my team to move quickly to achieve results and pull everyone together during the pandemic. The road ahead calls for a County Executive who is already implementing the plans to address our challenges and seize our opportunities and who has built a foundation of relationships around the county to deliver results.
Kowall: I have built an extensive network of relationships with local, state and federal officials through my years as Senate Majority Floor Leader, State Representative, and Township Supervisor. I have a strong background in economic development, having worked closely with Executive L. Brooks Patterson. I have the ability to pick up the phone and accomplish the business of the people of Oakland County. I have established bi-partisan connections with both Republicans and Democrats in both Washington D.C. and in Lansing, many of whom I have served with in government.
Coulter: Our biggest challenge is mitigating the spread of coronavirus so we can continue to recover economically. Thats why we hired more than five dozen school nurses and are working closely with our schools so they can operate safely. Thats why we are providing grants to childcare providers so they remain open as parents return to work, or juggle work and at-home school responsibilities. Over the last year as County Executive, I have seen many more opportunities than challenges. My Oakland Together agenda recognizes that we have tremendous assets in Oakland Countypeople, business, academic, cultural, natural and communityand that when we pull together, we are stronger and better able to prepare for the future. We must lift up diversity, equity and inclusion and ensure that all residents feel engaged in our county.
Kowall: COVID-19 has impacted all Oakland County businesses, and particularly hard small businesses such as salons, restaurants and bars. The economic restrictions forced on our businesses has caused many to close their doors forever and has forced others to move their operations to Macomb or Wayne Counties, where they see a lower cost of doing business. I will be a partner for businesses in Oakland County. I will make available the resources of Oakland Countys one stop shop to assist in economic recovery and maintain our outstanding quality of life
Coulter: What is unique about this pandemic is that until we have a vaccine that is widely available, we must continue to manage a health and economic crisis. It requires clear public health information, patience and vigilance in our efforts to manage the spread of the virus. The key to staying open and recovering economically is keeping our positive COVID-19 numbers low and manageable so our hospitals are not overrun. Im proud that Oakland County leaders on both sides of the aisle have led during the pandemic, supporting local health orders to keep residents and employees safe, getting grants to small businesses and community organizations, helping workers laid off during the shutdown, and increasing testing for residents and senior living facilities. The challenge with COVID-19 is that we may only be halfway through the pandemic and we must stay united and work cooperatively at all levels of government.
Kowall: I will use my decades of experience to resolve the unique challenges Oakland County is facing, and not employ the heavy handed, one size fits all approach the current County Executive is trying to impose on residents and business owners. Previously successful and financially sound businesses are now struggling for survival in the tumultuous regulatory and compliance environment created by Executive order that did not take into consideration the needs of businesses. As Oakland County Executive, I will provide the leadership needed to create policies that fit of Oakland County, and not hand over responsibility to the Governor and her Lansing associates.
Coulter: The pandemic has served to remind us of the importance of putting politics aside for the health and welfare of our residents, and of the need for all levels of government to work together. My view has always been that leaders assemble teams of experts, provide clear factual information, listen to people that they represent, and act in the best interests of the public, regardless of political considerations or consequences.
Kowall: We must work closer with our health departments to ensure we are crafting policy that is based in science, not fear for personal political purposes. As usual, our mothers are the best source of wisdom: wash your hands, stay active, eat a good diet, and act responsibly to protect the safety of others.
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ELECTION 2020: The race for Oakland County Executive - The Oakland Press
