Tyree Irving, the recently ousted chair of the Mississippi Democratic Party, is now suing the party and claiming that he should still be in charge.
On Tuesday, Irving and other plaintiffs filed litigation in the Hinds County Chancery Court, asking a judge to bring a halt to any official party activity until he is reinstated as chair. The plaintiffs, which also include several committee chairs who were removed after Irving’s dismissal, claim that current Democratic Party Chairman Cheikh Taylor was improperly chosen as the party’s leader.
“Plaintiffs further allege, based on information and belief, that Defendant Taylor will continue to take actions, without proper authority, that will be injurious to the well-being and long-term interests and development of the Party if injunctive relief is not granted expeditiously,” the lawsuit reads.
Irving stepping down as chair has been an up-and-down affair. In July – just one month before primary elections – Irving announced that he was resigning after he allegedly put a $250,000 donation to the party in jeopardy while belittling a party executive.
Within days of that announcement, Irving withdrew his letter of resignation and claimed he would still lead the party moving forward. However, 46 of the party’s 80-member committee voted to remove him from his post anyway.
As part of the lawsuit, Irving claims he was supposed to have been given a 30-day notice prior to being removed. Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that the committee violated the party’s constitution, the Mississippi Constitution, and Robert’s Rules of Order. The latter being a framework of codes and rules the party must abide by.
The lawsuit also alleges that Taylor, a former state representative, acted without power by appointing Ty Pinkins as the Democratic nominee for secretary of state following Shuwaski Young’s withdrawal over health concerns. The general election is less than two months away.
Listing 38 defendants, all of whom are members of the party’s executive committee, the lawsuit demands Irving and other plaintiffs be reinstated to their positions immediately. The case has been assigned to Chancellor Tiffany Grove.
