Michigan Tea Party Alliance Press Page ed. note: Nationally and in the states the Tea Party has sought to avoid the third party route.  In Michigan an effort to establish "The Tea Party" as a new political party with candidates on the ballot in November led to charges of dirty tricks.  Mark E. Steffek, a retired UAW shop steward from Reese, chaired the group which submitted 59,400 signatures to the Secretary of State's office on July 14, 2010.  (The requirement for establishing a “new political party” was to file a petition containing at least 38,013 valid signatures (1% of votes cast for Governor) no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 15, 2010).  On July 26 the Tea Party of Michigan submitted 23 Tea Party nominated candidates to the Secretary of State, two of whom were later removed because they were too young.  Some of these were in close races such as the 7th congressional district held by freshman Rep. Mark Schauer (D).  The Michigan Tea Party Alliance cried foul as did the Michigan Republican Party.  Media accounts also raised doubts about the "mysterious" Tea Party, and there was a lot of discussion about the "phony" Tea Party being "a front," although Steffek maintained it was legitimate.
 
PRESS RELEASE from Michigan Tea Party Alliance
    July ?, 2010

Contact Info:
Gene Clem
email: gene.clem@gmail.com
Ph: 269-716-3784
Michigan Tea Party Is Not A Political Party
 
A group of people has filed a petition in the Michigan Secretary of State office to place “The Tea Party” on the statewide ballot in November of this year for the general election.  The membership of the Michigan Tea Party Alliance has warned of this possibility in a press release in January when we first suspected that such an event could take place.  We also sent out a notice on May 17th when we found out that the petition had just started circulating.  Obviously we cannot reach everyone we want in order to inform them that this “Tea Party” is not a part of the Michigan Tea Party Alliance (MTPA) and that there are no known Tea Party organizations in the nation who think that forming another political party is a good idea.  In fact we have all agreed that it would be much more effective to reform the existing two major political parties instead of starting a new one from nothing.

The MTPA fears that voters who are not aware of everything that is happening in the political sphere of the state on a daily basis will see the “Tea Party” on the ballot and vote for those candidates who are not truly vested in the conservative ideals the label typically represents.  We suspect that the purpose of this filing to place “The Tea Party” on the ballot is to cause that confusion and draw enough votes from, most likely, the Republican Party candidates to throw an election to the Democrat candidate.  We do know that hired petition gathers were instructed to tell prospects that they were collecting signatures on behalf of whatever local group there was (such as the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots when they were in Allegan).  Those statements were untrue and were used to trick well-meaning citizens into supporting something that they otherwise would not have.  We, the members of the MTPA, are looking into any legal remedies that we may have to prevent this group from presenting a slate of candidates on the ballot in November.

The leadership of the undersigned organizations encourages all citizens to get involved in the political process, and to reshape the political parties into something in which they may once again take pride. We encourage people to look for candidates that will protect and defend the constitution, and we urge voters to ignore the “Tea Party” on the ballot.

The founders knew that it would be our sacred obligation as citizens to get involved, and to work hard to hold on to this great nation. We have much work to do, and future generations will look back in judgment. We hope you will join us in preserving the republic so that those future generations will look back upon us with pride, just as we do those who met in the summer of 1787 and gave us the Constitution of the United States of America and our republic.

Gene Clem, Spokesman for:
The Michigan Tea Party Alliance:

SW Michigan Tea Party Patriots                       Ludington Tea Party                                     Oscoda 9/12
Rattle With Us                                                 Lapeer County Tea Party Patriots                   Lakes Area Tea Party
Tea Party of West Michigan                              Port Huron Tea Party                                   Genesee Tea Party
SE Michigan 9/12 Project                                 Traverse Bay 9/12 Project                              Brighton Tea Party
Metro Detroit Freedom Coalition                     We The People of Mid Michigan                    Tri-City 9/12
Berrien County Tea Party                                 Western Thumb Tea Party Group                  Mecosta County Tea Party
Tea Party Patriots of West Oakland                  Allegan Tea Party                                         Manistee Area Tea Party
Cass County Tea Party                                     Calhoun County Tea Party                            Newaygo County Tea Party
ReTakeOurGov Tea Party                                Blue Water Area Patriots                               Holland-Zeeland Patriots
Muskegon Patriots                                            Lenawee 9/12 Project                                    Grassroots in Michigan
Romeo Area Tea Party                                     Benzie County Patriots                                  Montcclm Tea Party                                                        


Re-Issued 5-17-2010
Jan 2010 Press Release: Michigan Tea Party Is Not A Political Party

There has been much talk of the formation of a third political party based on the tea party movement. The organizations listed below are issuing this statement in order to make it clear that we are not associated with any attempts to form a third party in the State of Michigan. Additionally, we believe that such efforts are unproductive and unwise at this time. The history of third party movements in this country is one of division and defeat. We believe that it is instead time for all Americans to rise up and demand appropriate reform within the existing political structures. The mechanisms exist for citizens to participate in their parties, and to drive their parties in the right direction.

The leadership of the undersigned organizations encourages all citizens to get involved in the political process, and to reshape the political parties into something in which they may once again take pride. We encourage people to look for candidates that will protect and defend the constitution.

The founders knew that it would be our sacred obligation as citizens to get involved, and to work hard to hold on to this great nation. We have much work to do, and future generations will look back in judgment. We hope you will join us in preserving the republic so that those future generations will look back upon us with pride, just as we do those who met in the summer of 1787 and gave us the Constitution of the United States of America and our republic.

The Michigan Tea Party Alliance
PRESS RELEASES from Michigan Republican Party

Democrats Dirty Ploy

July 27, 2010

Michigan Republican Party Chairman Ron Weiser issued the following statement in reaction to the “Tea Party” candidates:

“As if the dirty ploy by the Democrats wasn’t already obvious, the ‘tea party’ slate of candidates is a mockery to the values of the real Tea Party movement. Michigan Democrat leaders are perpetuating a fraud that seeks to compromise the integrity of our electoral process.

“An overwhelming number of these so-called candidates have direct ties to Democrat organizations or Democrat-professed associations. It is clear these people do not think much of Michigan voters as they don’t even care to hide their deception.

“It’s a disgrace that Michigan Democrats are willing to stoop so low to win an election out of desperation. They know they are responsible for this economic mess and they know Republicans are the only ones who can Fix Michigan.”


Tea Party Ballot trick statement

July 14, 2010

Michigan Republican Party Chairman Ron Weiser issued the following statement on the Tea Party ballot trick:

“In a Hail Mary-style last ditch effort, desperate stooges of the Democrat Party have attempted to confuse Michigan voters by hijacking the name of the Tea Party movement. Make no mistake; these tax-and-spend liberal actors are not the real deal. Every true Tea Party organization has disavowed this effort and identified it for what it is: base political maneuvering.

“While the Michigan Democrats try to play games by confusing voters and shifting attention away from their record of failure, the Michigan Republican Party has been and continues to be committed to working with true Tea Party activists and other concerned families across our state to elect leaders who will bring about the real reforms we need to rein in out of control spending, reduce our bloated government and Fix Michigan.”