LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, who has led in most primary polls, and businessman Perry Johnson, along with three other lesser-known candidates for the GOP nomination for Michigan governor were found ineligible Thursday for the August primary,
According to the Associated Press, the bipartisan Board of State Canvassers, voted Thursday that they be disqualified, following a recommendation from the state elections bureau, which said Monday it found thousands of forged or fraudulent signatures on petitions the candidates submitted.
The board split evenly on partisan lines, with two Democrats saying they should not make the ballot and two Republicans saying they should. Candidates needed three votes in support to make the ballot.
Democrats challenged the GOP candidates’ petitions, alleging mass forgery and other issues.
Johnson has already spent millions of his personal fortune on the contest. His campaign earlier this week said it would take the issue to court if necessary.
The elections bureau staff also determined that candidates Donna Brandenburg, Michael Brown and Michael Markey also did not turn in enough valid signatures. Brown withdrew from the race Tuesday.
Candidates for governor were required to submit valid signatures from 15,000 registered voters to make the ballot.
