A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Three days ago, Montana’s Democratic Party announced that Andrea Marcoccio’s last day as executive director would be 13 February, a Friday, and of course the day before Valentines Day (story, Missoulian).
Why was she stepping down? Neither she nor the party provided a public explanation. In fact some or all of the members of the party’s executive board are in the dark on the matter.
A whiff of something unpleasant emanates from this development. Did Marcoccio get crosswise with Sen. Jon Tester, Gov. Steve Bullock, or both? They’re the only Democrats with the muscle to engineer so precipitous a departure. Or was there an event not directly related to politics?
Keeping the executive board in the dark is itself a high-handed act by the party’s chairman, Jim Larson. Imagine the consequences if the chairman of a school board attempted to unilaterally dismiss the superintendent of schools without explanation or forewarning and one begins to understand the enormity of what has happened with Marcoccio.
Now, I’ve never been a cheerleader for Marcoccio. In fact, last summer I called for her dismissal. But she’s entitled to due process, the same as everyone else. The board and rank and file of the party have the right to know why she’s leaving. And the board should have been involved in whatever led to her departure.
If you know anything about this, please let me know. Everything is on the record, but I’ll keep your name confidential. Email me at tips@flatheadmemo.com.