Michigan Supreme Court blocks three GOP gubernatorial candidates from ballot over forged petition signatures

The appeals of multiple GOP gubernatorial candidates to appear on the August primary ballot were rejected by the Michigan Supreme Court.

James Craig, a former Detroit police chief, is one of the candidates who will not be on the ballot.

The judges stated that they were not persuaded that the questions should be reviewed by the court.

With the discovery of thousands of invalid signatures, the Republican candidates didn't have enough signatures to get on the ballot. There was no proof that the disqualified candidates were aware of the problems with the signatures.

The elections panel was unable to agree on whether to allow five candidates to appear on the ballot. The five candidates were not allowed on the ballot because the panel failed to make a majority decision.

The candidates for governor had to submit a minimum of 15,000 signatures and be told not to sign more than 30,000.

The Republican candidates who have largely criticized the process as one dictated by politics could possibly mount write-in campaigns. A businesswoman and a Michigan State Police captain were disqualified from the race.

Five Republicans were not allowed to vote because of forged signatures.

A businesswoman, a pastor, a real estate broker, and a businessman are among the Republicans who will appear on the ballot.

The decision puts the party in a difficult position, as it had viewed the Michigan governor's race as a highly competitive race in a key Midwestern state that flipped to President Joe Biden in 2020.

Despite the favorable political climate that Republicans are expected to enjoy, the lack of a top-tier candidate on the ballot has made it difficult for the GOP to win the governor's race.

Over the last two years, the Republicans have attacked her over the impact of her coronaviruses restrictions in the state, but she is currently in a good position among the state's voters.

In a May survey conducted by Target Insyght ofLansing, she led all potential GOP opponents by double-digit margins.

According to Ed Sarpolus, the executive director of Target Insyght, Republicans could easily come back into the fold and win the election.

He told Deadline Detroit that it would be wrong of him to say that she is going to win re- election. This poll shows that Republicans are upset. Republicans are still giving a negative job rating to Gretchen.

The primary will take place in August.