Validity called into question over James Craig’s Republican bid for governor
According to Bridge Michigan, petition fraud could remove the former Detroit Police Chief from the gubernatorial race.
Challengers to James Craig’s campaign claim multiple forged signatures on his nominating petition. The alleged forgeries have been attributed to a group of circulators, who collected signatures for multiple candidates.
Perry Johnson, another GOP running for state governor, is also under investigation.
The high demand for paid circulators has led to a spike in costs. Experts say that may have incentivized the negligent collections.
“There is a legitimate chance that Craig will be kept off the ballot.”— Jonathan Oosting, Bridge Michigan
Listen: How James Craig might be disqualified from the election.
Guest
Jonathan Oosting is a Michigan politics reporter for Bridge Michigan. He recently wrote, “Massive Forgery Scheme’ Claims Rock Michigan Elections.” Oosting’s reporting alleges forged signatures on Craig’s nominating petitions, which could eliminate him from the ballot this fall.
“The evidence looks pretty damning,” says Oosting. “Chief Craig’s attorney even said this week that the campaign may have been ‘defrauded’ or ‘dooped.’ They still hope they have enough signatures, even if the forged ones are tossed out.”
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