OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Oakland County’s top commissioner isn’t just running the board; he’s been helping run some of his colleagues’ campaigns, too. 

Dave Woodward (D-Royal Oak), who chairs the board, co-owns Pivot Point Strategies LLC, a political consulting firm that’s been paid by six commissioners since 2020 for campaign mailers, messaging, and other election-season help, campaign records show. 

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Those commissioners make up half of the board’s Democratic caucus and include both the vice chair and finance chair.

Woodward insists the work is above board. “If you’re going to ask me if I’ve spent time electing Democrats … the answer is yes,” he said, adding that all filings have been on the public record “since the beginning of time.”

But not everyone’s convinced the arrangement passes the smell test.

Commissioners Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford Township) and Charlie Cavell (D-Ferndale)—who’ve both split from the caucus over transparency concerns—say the setup creates at least the “appearance” of a conflict, especially when members who hired Pivot Point later landed leadership posts. 

“At the end of the day, the people of Oakland County deserve leadership that is independent, accountable and free of any perception of pay-to-play politics,” Nelson said.

Republican Caucus Chair Michael Spisz (R-Oxford Township) also questioned whether the consulting relationship could influence tight votes. “There are cases where one vote flips it,” he said. “Is that really the right thing to do?”

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Woodward rejects the criticism outright, saying campaigns and county business are legally separate.

“State law prohibits public resources (from) being used for campaign purposes, further reinforcing campaigns are separate,” Woodward said.

Others aren’t so sure. State political observers note the practice isn’t unheard of in Lansing—but say it carries “potential for” blurred lines.

“It’s a yucky potential gray area,” Nelson said.