(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/08/2024) Mary Patterson, the daughter of the late longtime Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, is planning to drop out of her own bid for the top government executive post in Oakland County due to an inability to raise money in a volatile atmosphere for Republicans.
Patterson, a Republican, is expected to mention the antics of the Kristina Karamo-led Michigan Republican Party as poisoning the well for fundraising and her desire to focus on the health of her family.
The pending announcement is bad news for the Oakland County Republican Party, which was hoping Patterson's name would lure crossover votes as Democratic Executive Dave Coulter gears up for his second bid for the seat. Coulter, remember, was appointed by the Oakland County Board of Commissioner to succeed Brooks Patterson after his death in 2019.
Mary Patterson announced for the seat last August.
“Mary is the mother of four children and a committed fiscal conservative,” said Patterson campaign spokesperson Amanda Szmytke. "When it became clear to her that the financial backing simply isn't there, she recognizes that she has to be a responsible steward of donor funds and not waste anyone else's time or money.
“It unfortunate that the state Republican Party under Karamo has alienated traditional donors to the point that it impacts down ballot races, but at this time Mary is going to focus on her family and boosting Oakland County in other ways.”
