Ron Weiser and Michigan GOP sue SOS Benson in Federal Court to Prevent Whitmer from Keeping Illegal Excessive Contributions (Lansing, Mich.) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been illegally raising funds in excess of Michigan’s $7,150 contribution limit under the pretext of the so-called “Recall Exception” created in 1983 by Michigan Secretary of State Richard Austin. Ron Weiser, in his personal capacity as a Republican donor, and the Michigan Republican Party, together sued Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in US District Court for the Western District of Michigan to force Benson, in her official capacity, to administer Michigan election law in a manner compliant with the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the US Constitution. This means applying Michigan’s campaign contribution limits equally to all candidates for the same office. “Gretchen Whitmer continues to raise millions of dollars from donations that are well over the state’s contribution limits,” said MIGOP Communications Director Gustavo Portela. “While it’s no secret that she thinks she’s above the law and rules don’t apply to her, our lawsuit will ensure that her crony, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, applies campaign finance rules fairly to all candidates running for Governor.” The lawsuit filed by Weiser and the Michigan Republican Party is both a facial and as applied challenge to the Recall Exception and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to restrain Secretary Benson’s application of the Recall Exception.
“Every day that Secretary Benson allows Gov. Whitmer to keep her war-chest built with unlimited contributions is an ongoing irreparable harm to the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights of Plaintiffs Weiser and Michigan Republicans,” said attorney Charlie Spies of Dickinson Wright PLLC, counsel to Plaintiffs in this litigation.”
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Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party. With regulated funds, not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. 520 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. www.MIGOP.org