Doorley and the Hatch Question

Summoned back unexpectedly from vacation when the Geraci candidacy imploded, Sandra Doorley made official this morning what we told you Tuesday:   she's the Democratic candidate for District Attorney.

Democrats clearly are worried about whether, as First Assistant DA, Doorley violated the Hatch Act by becoming a candidate.   To effect some cover, they've moved her to a different position in the DA's office, presumably one that does not have authority in connection with activities funded by federal money, which is what triggers the Hatch problem.   So much for any claim by the current DA's office that it's non-political!

Nervous explanations that this is merely a "just in case" move can't overcome the clear import of events that Democrats realized there is a Hatch violation and they had to get around it.

Yet that doesn't solve the problem.   Before becoming candidate for DA, Doorley was candidate for County Court Judge.   If there would be a Hatch Act violation for her to run for DA while employed as First Assistant DA, she committed the same violation by running for judge as First Assistant DA.

The Hatch Act is an obsolete piece of nonsense that should be struck down as an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.   Yet as long as it's there, anyone affected by it is obligated to respect it.   Especially anyone seeking the County's chief law enforcement position.