Michigan tea party decision in limbo

[ccharles000]

Michigan state officials are deadlocked over whether to allow “tea party” candidates on to the ballot in November, setting up a court battle that could resonate in two of the state’s most competitive House races.

In a vote Monday, the Board of State Canvassers split 2-2 over whether to approve the group’s slate of candidates after a litany of allegations of Democratic involvement, fraud and problems with the group’s petitions. A tie prevents the party from being allowed on the ballot.

The decision makes it less likely that Republicans in two House races will have to contend with official tea party candidates on voters’ ballots in November — though the group’s attorney, Lansing-based Mike Hodge, has promised to mount a court challenge.

In Michigan’s 7th District, former police officer Danny Davis had readied a bid against freshman Democratic Rep. Mark Schauer. The GOP nominee, former Rep. Tim Walberg, lost to Schauer by a slim margin in 2008 — and a third-party conservative candidate had the potential to tip the competitive seat in Schauer’s favor.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41383.html