"The nearly 60,000 people who signed these petitions did so in good faith," said Michigan Republican Party Chairman Ron Weiser.  "They signed this petition because they wanted to be part of the process and make a difference in our state and national government.  

"Steffek's actions only disenfranchised good-intentioned residents who wanted to participate in the process.  He perpetrated a fraud against the people of this state and should be held accountable for his actions," Weiser said.

A summary of the complaints filed include:

• Would-be candidates listed on the Certification of Tea Party Nomination were nominated at the convention on July 24.  However, all but one affidavit filed were pre-dated, or completed prior to convention.
  
• Failure to follow statutory requirements regarding a call to convention.

"It is clear the intent of Steffek's group is to confuse the votes and hinder the Democratic process of fair elections," said David Robertson, Republican senate candidate in the 26th District.  "Michigan residents deserve better than that.  These activists wanted to be part of the process; instead they were misled and deceived.  I sincerely hope the Bureau of Elections will act swiftly in this matter."

Sadly, there are so many trusting folks who upon seeing a gadsden symbol will think that person represents their values.  Even more so, its sad that the Democrat party feels the need to hide its involvement in the political process in such a manner.