Dems want inquiry into Schmidt, GOP leaders

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - State Democrats said they have filed a complaint against Rep. Roy Schmidt (R-Grand Rapids) and the leadership of his new party
 
The complaint alleges that Schmidt, Speaker of the House Jase Bolger and Bolger's chief of staff used state resources to help Schmidt make the switch from the Democrat to Republican party, state Democrats said.

As of the close of the business day on Wednesday, the Secretary of State had not yet received the complaint.

State Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer claims Republicans "are using taxpayer dollars to help execute election strategy and campaign activity."

Bolger spokesman Ari Alder dismissed the complaint.

"The allegations are an attempt by Brewer to draw attention away from the reason why Schmidt left the Democratic Party," Adler said.

Shortly after announcing the switch, Schmidt told 24 Hour News 8 Political Reporter Rick Albin if anyone wanted their campaign contributions back, he'd talk to them.

24 Hour News 8 was curious as to how many people asked for or got their money back from a fundraiser Schmidt held just days before he made the announcement.
 
24 Hour News 8 contacted a representative in Schmidt's Lansing office for comment, but never heard back.
 
But at least one person did get his money back.

Longtime Grand Rapids Democrat Thomas Mathieu held the westside state House seat for 24 years.

Mathieu said he was at Schmidt's fundraiser, but called the representative's campaign finance chair to complain after the party switch. Days later, he got a check.

But he's still not happy.  

"What he could have done is said, 'I'm not going to take any contributions. Come to my party. Thank you for your years of support. I'm going to change parties and I don't want take your money under false pretenses.' He didn't do that," said Mathieu.

Meanwhile, the Kent County Prosecutor has asked state police to investigate allegations of election fraud involving the candidate who filed to run against Schmidt as a Democrat then withdrew from the race. That investigation is still ongoing.