Tensions mount as 2 Democrats refuse to caucus over Oakland Co. commission priorities

Tension between Oakland County Commission Chairman Dave Woodward and two fellow Democratic commissioners is mounting after they decided to leave the county's Democratic caucus.

Commissioners Charlie Cavell of Ferndale and Kristen Nelson of Waterford Township submitted a letter to Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown July 17 asking to be removed from the Democratic caucus. While Cavell and Nelson are still Democrats, they said in their letter that they cannot participate in the caucus because it doesn't reflect their "principles of transparency, ethical governance, and collaborative leadership."

"We have consistently advocated for reforms that increase accountability, reduce concentration of power, and restore public trust in how county government functions," the letter reads. "Unfortunately, those efforts have been met with persistent resistance, and recent developments have further undermined our ability to work in good faith with the current caucus framework."

With the move, the Democratic caucus' majority on the commission has been narrowed to 12-6.



https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/24/two-democrats-refuse-caucus-oakland-county-commission/85357474007/