Local Democratic party 'a disgrace,'
says Pittman now running unaffiliated
In a press release Thursday night, LaVeeshia Pittman called the local Democratic Party "a disgrace" and dropped her Democratic run for School Board District 3. But she will continue to run as a write-in or independent candidate.
Pittman, a local college student and secretary for the Democratic Coalition of the South, said her decision to exit the Democratic June 3 primary stemmed from her reception by Mobile County Democrats and those that lead the local Democratic Party.
Her charges mystified local party chairman Brad Warren who said neither he nor any member of the party's executive committee had ever met the woman.
According to Pittman, the local Democratic Party does not show a positive image and interest in young candidates. Pittman contends that she was discouraged from qualifying as a candidate.
"I am disgraced by the attitude of the local officials that claim to be leaders for this local Democratic Party in Mobile County," her press release read. "... they show no passion or concern for young adults that desire to serve the community and seek elective office. I have decided to remain out of the Democratic primary for the nomination. I also feel that I wasn't welcome after talking to several of the local democratic leaders."
The attitude of the local party leadership made her reluctant to contribute "my qualifying fee to an ungrateful local party," she said.
"I will use my funds to establish a grassroots campaign to run as an independent or write-in candidate for the Mobile County School Board seat for District 3 that I desire to serve," she continued. "Young people of Mobile County should open their eyes and ears and start evaluating their local leaders whether they are elected or appointed and know who and what type of people that are representing them."
Pittman says that she will remain with the Democratic Coalition of the South and will always be a Democrat.
"...I have never met Ms Pittman, and to my knowledge, no one on our Executive Committee has either," said Warren. "Her comments are unacceptable as she has never stepped through our doors, let alone expressed her concerns."
Pittman informed her chairman, Rev. Gary Johnson, of her decision prior to the qualifying deadline and asked for his support in the general election this fall.
Pittman said she will now start collecting the necessary signatures to enter the race as a independent candidate, and if she can't collect enough signatures to enter the race as a independent she will run as a write-in candidate.
"It's was a sad day on last evening (Wednesday) when I had to meet with my supporters, business leaders and community activists that where supporting my campaign for the local school board from Satsuma, Chickasaw, Creola, Prichard and parts of Toulminville and tell them all, that I was exiting the Democratic primary," said Pittman. "Our plans now are to move forward with what we have, which I believe is a great amount of support and work toward the general election."
Pittman hoped to raise about $7,500 Saturday at a private fundraiser. Tickets to the event were sold to family members in California and to local residents, educators and business leaders, according to the press release. Tickets were sold at $50 per plate, but the event has been postponed, the releases stated.
