Michigan: Disqualifications

​The Michigan Secretary of State has ruled that several congressional candidates failed to meet ballot qualification requirements and are, at least for the moment, denied ballot position for the state’s August 7th primary election. 
 
In the 1st District, which will prove to be the most controversial situation, Democrat Mike Morgan, a retired Marine Corps Lt. Colonel, is disqualified because he did not list a street address on his candidate application.  Michigan law specifically prohibits post office boxes being used as an official candidate address.  Mr. Morgan says he will fight the ruling in court.  He is the lone Democrat who filed for the race.  If the Secretary of State’s ruling stands, freshman Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet/ Upper Peninsula) will be unopposed for re-election.
 
Against Rep. Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) in the 6th District, two-time Democratic nominee Paul Clements was surprisingly disqualified for not submitting enough nomination petition signatures.  The same is true for Quality Control analyst Eponine Garrod (D). 
 
Turning to the open 11th District (Rep. David Trott-R; retiring), two candidates, a Democrat and a Republican, were disqualified for lack of submitting enough valid nominating petition signatures.  For the Republicans, minor candidate Kristine Bonds is denied a ballot position.  In the Democratic primary, businessman Dan Haberman, who raised almost $300,000, is now off the ballot.  The disqualifications are not expected to fundamentally change either party’s nomination outcome. 

--Jim Ellis