Hollier challenges decision to be removed from U.S. House ballot

Democratic congressional candidate Adam Hollier of Detroit has filed an appeal with the office of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson after being disqualified from the ballot by a Wayne County ruling. Hollier alleges that there are “suspicious indicators” of fraud in all candidates’ nominating petitions in the 13th District race for U.S. House, including those of incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters, and attorney Shakira Hawkins.

In a letter to Benson, Hollier’s attorney Alan Wilk stated, “Simply put, fraud and forgery by paid nominating petition circulators is a widespread problem already known to your Office and to the public.” Hollier’s team also argues that Thanedar filed his challenge against Hollier’s petitions under the wrong section of Michigan election law and with the wrong office.

Thanedar, on the other hand, claims that Benson has a conflict of interest in this situation because she has endorsed Hollier’s campaign and purportedly signed his nominating petitions. Benson, however, refuted these claims, stating that any appeals of county decisions on ballot access are reviewed and decided by the state Bureau of Elections, which conducts a factual and legal analysis.

Hollier’s appeal points to misspellings and alleged unregistered voters on Thanedar’s petitions, as well as patterns of forgery and fraud on Waters’ sheets. Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett disqualified Hollier from the primary election ballot last week, finding that he did not submit enough valid voter signatures. Hollier has acknowledged that certain signatures on his supplemental petitions were likely forged and is in the process of reporting the suspected signature fraud to the Wayne County Prosecutor.

This appeal comes in the midst of a contentious battle for ballot access in the 13th District race, highlighting the importance of ensuring the integrity of the nominating petition process in the lead-up to the upcoming primary election.