Jase Bolger: Difference between revisions

In 2012, Bolger worked with then-Democratic Michigan state Rep. [[Roy Schmidt (politician)|Roy Schmidt]] to switch parties at the filing deadline.<ref name=SchmidtParty>Reens, Nate (May 15, 2012). [http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/05/rep_roy_schmidt_announces_part.html#incart_river_default Grand Rapids Rep. Roy Schmidt announces party switch, long-time Democrat will run as Republican] ''Grand Rapids Press''.</ref> Schmidt expressed dissatisfaction with what he called extreme party bosses in the Democratic party.<ref name=SchmidtParty/> Schmidt recruited a replacement for Democrats, 22-year old Matt Mojzak, who did not mount a campaign, thus effectively leaving the Democrats without a viable candidate.<ref>Egan, Paul (August 28, 2012). [http://www.freep.com/article/20120828/NEWS06/120828021/House-speaker-Bolger-says-Rep-Schmidt-told-him-fake-candidate-s-residency-legit House speaker Bolger says Rep. Schmidt told him fake candidate's residency was legit] ''Detroit Free Press''.</ref> With no serious Democratic candidate, Schmidt effectively ensured his victory as a Republican.<ref name=MojzakHuff>Abbey-Lambertz, Kate (July 19, 2012). [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/roy-schmidt-jase-bolger-michigan-gop-house-_n_1684026.html Roy Schmidt, Jase Bolger, Michigan State Rep And Speaker, Not Charged After Election Scandal"], HuffingtonPost.com; accessed December 20, 2014.</ref> Schmidt reportedly offered to pay Mojzak $450 to file as the Democratic challenger. Schmidt later upped the amount to $1,000 when Mojzak announced he was going to withdraw his candidacy.<ref name=MojzakHuff/>

 

Several independent investigations and a grand jury review exonerated Bolger of breaking any rules.<ref>Oosting, Jonathan (August 9, 2013). [http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/08/jase_bolger_roy_schdmit_cleare.htm "Bolger, Schmidt cleared in grand jury investigation of party-switch scheme"], ''MLive.com''.</ref> Ingham County Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina wrote that an exhaustive and diligent probe uncovered no crime or wrongdoing, and that an indictment was not warranted.<ref name=CBSDetroit>Eggert, Dave (August 9, 2013). [http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/08/09/no-indictment-after-michigan-party-switch-probe "No Indictment after Michigan Party Switch Probe"], ''CBS Detroit''; accessed December 20, 2014.</ref> Bolger authored an [[op-ed]] in the ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' offering his apology to any offended voters and noted his error in judgment.<ref name=apology>Bolger, Jase (July 20, 2012). [http://www.freep.com/article/20120720/OPINION05/120720055/Speaker-Bolger-I-apologizes-to-voters- "Michigan House Speaker Bolger: 'I apologize to voters'"], freep.com; accessed December 20, 2014.</ref>