Alabama Republican Party
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 29, 2012
Contact: Shana Kluck
205-586-5751
skluck@algop.org
Alabama GOP Calls on Voters Permanently Retire Dewey Mitchell
“Leaders question whether Mitchell’s “retirement” is about what is best for taxpayers or about what is good for Dewey Mitchell”
FLORENCE , Ala. – State GOP leaders today criticized Lauderdale County Probate Judge Dewey Mitchell’s decision to “retire’ from his elected position as Probate Judge and Chairman of the Lauderdale County Commission. Mitchell was elected to the position of Probate Judge, which also serves as Chairman of the Commission, in 2006 for a full six year term. He is currently the Democratic candidate for the newly created part time position of Commission Chairman and announced his “retirement” effective Wednesday, October 31.
“This decision is a perfect example of a politician making a decision based on what is best for them personally instead of what is best for the voters who elected them,” said Bill Armistead, Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. “Dewey Mitchell ran to serve a six year term and now is stepping aside two weeks early – and all while seeking election for the same job he is retiring from today. While this move will increase Dewey Mitchell’s retirement pay, it leaves voters without a Probate Judge going into a historic election that promises record turnouts. This raises real questions about DeweyMitchell’s ethics and commitment to the people of Lauderdale County.”
Dewey Mitchell has served for 18 years as Probate Judge in Lauderdale County, a position that pays him about $117,001 per year and also requires him to preside as Chairman over the County Commission. In 2010 the Legislature separated those two jobs, creating a lower paid part time position for Chairman of the County Commission and a full time Probate Judge position.
“Lauderdale County voters need to go ahead and retire Dewey Mitchell for good,” said Armistead. “Eighteen years is long enough and it is time for new, conservative Republican leadership that can bring new jobs, cut wasteful spending and finally stop the good old boy politics that puts money intoDewey’s pockets and gets voters nothing in return.”
###