Hatch Act invoked again

Ann Arbor News

The federal law that prompted a would-be candidate for Washtenaw County sheriff to quit the race earlier this year has led a candidate for a different office to quit his job instead.

Alan Israel, who is running as a Democrat for Pittsfield Township clerk, leaves his job as chief of staff in the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's office today.

Unable to resolve a complaint about a possible violation of the Hatch Act, Israel said on Thursday that he has accelerated his planned retirement and resigned.

The Hatch Act bars state, county and municipal appointees from running for public office in partisan races if their job duties are connected to programs financed even in part by federal grants and loans.