Schauer Accused of Finance Violation

The Michigan Republican party is accusing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer of violating state campaign finance laws. The GOP complaint, filed with the Department of State, charges that the Schauer campaign violated Michigan’s Campaign Finance Act by supporting Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Lisa Brown’s activities. Brown’s campaign committee recently paid a $300 late fee after the Republican party filed a complaint charging Brown had not created a separate candidate committee before she was officially the nominee. Until the lieutenant governor candidate is formally nominated, that person technically runs as a separate candidate. And the MCFA forbids one candidate committee making donations in support of another candidate. The Department of State has asked Schauer’s campaign to respond to the complaint. The state says violation of the Act is a misdemeanor and could include fines of $1,000 or jail time of up to 93 days. The Gongwer News Service reports Democrats responded to the GOP charges by releasing materials they argued showed that Republicans were as likely to violate the statute, and had not faced charges.