Members of the Baptist Minister’s Alliance, Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis and Marion County Black Elected Officials called for Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell to resign during a press conference April 19.
The ministers and elected officials alleged Sweeney Bell and the local Democratic Party have rigged the election process against Black and other minority candidates running for office.
This is the second time Black ministers and politicians have asked Sweeney Bell to resign. They also did so in February.
The groups said they plan to take their complaints to the Democratic National Committee.
Allegations against Sweeney Bell include that she abuses her power as party chair by appointing people to vacant precinct committee party positions who will in turn support her preferred candidates. Precinct committeepersons vote to endorse candidates for the primary.
Some Democrats opted to not seek the party’s formal endorsement earlier this year in a process known as slating. That includes Billie Breaux, who is Sweeney Bell’s primary opponent for Marion County recorder.
Sweeney Bell has said she will give up her position as county chair for the party should she win.
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853 or by email at tylerf@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
