Tea Party to file Supreme Court appeal

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A group calling itself "The Tea Party" plans to file an appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court in the hope that its candidates will be allowed to run in the general election.

The state Court of Appeals ruled Monday the group doesn't qualify for the ballot because it didn't correctly show its name on petitions.

The lawyer for "The Tea Party" said Tuesday he plans to file an emergency appeal. Michael Hodge has argued the group's petitions substantially met the requirements of state law.

Republicans and tea party activists say "The Tea Party" is a fake party controlled by Democrats aimed at drawing away votes from GOP candidates. They don't want it on the ballot.

Their lawyer says he'll decide what steps to take once he sees what Hodge files.