HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – If some had been wondering why Jim Storey took so long between announcing his candidacy for a vacant state House seat and filing the paperwork for it, the Holland Republican explained why on Thursday evening.
The Vice-Chairman of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners said in a statement that, after he declared his intention for the GOP nomination in the 80th state House district on Monday, his campaign discovered a forgotten 33-year-old open campaign account with the Michigan Secretary of State’s office stemming from Storey’s failed 1982 state House bid to represent the eastern UP.
“ When I learned of this situation, I immediately called the Secretary of State and discussed how best to proceed. It was agreed that I would amend the reports and pay a $2,500 fine, which I did this (Thursday) morning in Lansing,” Storey explained in the statement. “I take full responsibility for my mistake with that committee. I have taken appropriate steps to learn from this mistake and have retained professional assistance to ensure going forward the committee in my current campaign will fully comply with the schedules outlined by the Secretary of State.”
Storey added that he would file his paperwork on Friday, the deadline for those wishing to be on the November 3rd primary ballot to fill the state House seat vacated by last Friday’s expulsion of freshman Republican Cindy Gamrat.