Dems call for Schmidt 'fraud' response

LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) - The Kent County Prosecutor said Grand Rapids Republican Rep. Roy Schmidt and House Speaker Jase Bolger didn't do anything illegal when they found a fake challenger after Schmidt switched parties -- but Thursday, the political war of words continued.    

Earlier this week, text messages between Schmidt and Bolger were revealed that showed they worked to recruit a fake candidate to run as a Democrat when Schmidt switched to the Republican party.

In his report, the Kent County Prosecutor said that Bolger and Schmidt had tried to defraud voters after Schmidt suddenly and unexpectedly switched parties at the last minute before the filing deadline.

The prosecutor said there was nothing illegal about the plan but that he found it a "travesty."

It's not surprising that Democrats are seizing the opportunity to call for all types of investigations and resignations. Thursday, two separate Democrats were pushing for specific action.

Rep. Tim Bledsoe (D-Grosse Pointe), vice chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said he wants subpoena powers to investigate possible official misconduct.

Among other things, his release included stated: "Michigan's Constitution requires a two-thirds vote in order to expel a member from the House of Representatives. I haven't ruled out any forms of punishment."

The Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer called on Gov. Rick Snyder other Republican elected officials to repudiate the actions of Bolger and Schmidt.

"The governor and his fellow Republicans should call on Speaker Bolger to step down from leadership, and they should do it today," said Brewer in a statement. "Every day that Bolger remains as Speaker is another day that diminishes the integrity of Michigan state government."

Inside woodtv.com:

The Roy Schmidt Ruling (pdf)