LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The latest on two Michigan lawmakers who were embroiled in an extramarital affair and cover-up and are running in special primary election (all times local):
11:30 p.m.
Two former lawmakers who were forced from Michigan’s Legislature for an extramarital affair and a strange cover-up scheme have lost bids to win back their seats.
Mary Whiteford declared victory in Tuesday’s special Republican primary election. She had roughly 52 percent of the vote with 90 percent of precincts reporting, far more than second-place finisher Jim Storey.
Cindy Gamrat, who in September became just the fourth lawmaker in state history to be expelled, had just 9 percent of the vote.
Former legislator Todd Courser, who resigned rather than be expelled, finished sixth in a primary won by farmer Gary Howell.
Courser sent a phony email that said he was caught having sex with a male prostitute. He said the tale would make his affair with Gamrat less plausible in case it were revealed by an anonymous extortionist.
9 p.m.
Two former lawmakers who were booted from Michigan’s Capitol for an extramarital affair and a strange cover-up scheme are well behind in crowded primary fields to win back their seats.
Tea party leaders Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat ran in Tuesday’s special Republican primaries.
Courser resigned in September while facing expulsion. Gamrat was expelled.
Courser had about 3 percent of the vote with 36 percent of precincts reporting. Gamrat had about 10 percent of the vote with 60 percent of precincts reporting.
Mary Whiteford was leading with nearly 50 percent of the vote in Gamrat’s old seat. Jim Storey was leading with 24 percent of the vote in Courser’s former district.
Courser sent a phony email that said he was caught having sex with a male prostitute. He said the tale would make his affair with Gamrat less plausible in case it was revealed by an anonymous extortionist.
8:40 p.m.
A Michigan lawmaker who was booted from office for an extramarital affair and strange cover-up scheme is trailing in a crowded special primary to win back her seat.
Cindy Gamrat had nearly 9 percent of the vote with 35 percent of precincts reporting in Allegan County Tuesday night. Mary Whiteford had 50 percent and Jim Storey had 26 percent.
Former Rep. Todd Courser, who resigned before being expelled, also is running for his old seat. He sent a phony email that said he was caught having sex with a male prostitute. He said the tale would make his affair with Gamrat less plausible in case it was revealed by an anonymous extortionist.
Special general elections in the conservative districts will be held in March.
1 a.m.
Two former lawmakers who were booted from Michigan’s Capitol for an extramarital affair and a strange cover-up scheme are running in crowded primary fields to win back their seats.
Tea party leaders Todd Courser, who resigned in September while facing expulsion, and expelled Rep. Cindy Gamrat are running in Tuesday’s special Republican primaries.
Their bids are not impossible because so many Republicans are running — including 11 in Courser’s district and eight in Gamrat’s.
Courser sent a phony email that said he was caught having sex with a male prostitute. He said the tale would make his affair with Gamrat less plausible in case it was revealed by an anonymous extortionist.
Special general elections in the conservative districts will be held in March.
Three Democrats are running for Courser’s seat. One Democrat is seeking Gamrat’s job.
