Tea Party, Mich. GOP sues fake Tea Party

DETROIT, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Michigan Tea Party activists and Republican leaders sued to keep candidates from what the plaintiffs call a fake Tea Party off the November ballot.

The activists and GOP officials filed suit Tuesday after a state elections panel deadlocked on certifying the new party's candidates, the Detroit Free Press reported Wednesday.

The suit, filed with the Michigan Court of Appeals, seeks to bar candidates in the purported Tea Party, alleging several election law violations. The new Tea Party was formed by Mark Steffek, a retired autoworker from the Saginaw area.

The complaint alleges Steffek's 23 Tea Party candidates filed affidavits claiming they were nominated before a party convention was conducted and missed deadlines for submitting documents to state elections officials, violating state law concerning the operation of political parties. The complaint also seeks the rejection of the entire slate because Steffek's Tea Party did not properly convene its convention.

Steffek's Tea Party was expected to file a lawsuit Wednesday, challenging Monday's decision by the Board of State Canvassers. Steffek's attorney said the complaints about the party were technical and minor and should not be the reason Tea Party candidates are being blocked from the ballot.