“I strongly support the effort of Democrats calling for a one-man grand jury to investigate the recent election-rigging attempt by Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) and State Rep. Roy Schmidt (R-Grand Rapids). From the beginning I have called for a complete and thorough investigation, but that has yet to happen. As new information continues to surface, more questions are raised not answered. The fact that questions remain unanswered, that the State Police investigation remains incomplete and that other officials are not willing to follow an investigation to completion is troubling. Bolger and Schmidt made a serious attempt to tamper with democracy in Michigan, and that cannot be brushed aside. Therefore, this petition seeking to take the criminal investigation out of the hands of politicians that can’t or won’t follow leads is the appropriate next step in defending our system of democracy and the citizens of Michigan.
“I also renew my request for the Michigan House Committee on Oversight, Reform and Ethics to open an investigation into Bolger and Schmidt’s scheme to undermine the 76th district House race. For the past several months information continues to come to light that points to individuals within the House Republican Caucus having potentially broken campaign finance laws and or House Rules. We need to restore trust and integrity to the House of Representatives. A similar investigation was opened at the federal level when Congressman Thaddeus McCotter submitted fraudulent signatures on his reelection petition. We owe it to the people of Michigan to take the integrity of the state House just as seriously.“