(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/02/2023) The lone state representative who had recall language against him approved on Tuesday said in a statement that the attempt to unseat him is a “partisan tactic to divert our attention from harmful policies coming out of Lansing, such as the recently signed budget.”
But a conservative Republican seeking Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan)'s seat in the 106th District told a local radio program recently that he was approached by Cavitt's recall organizers about appearing on the recall ballot with the Democratic nominee and Cavitt, himself.
The recall organizers against Cavitt were not Democrats, but Republicans. They felt Cavitt's voting record was not conservative enough. They were upset that Cavitt voted to elect Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit) Speaker of the House. Todd Smalenberg told WBKB that Cavitt was also censured by four of the six county Republican Party chairs in his district.
“So, of course, I said I was running against him. I'll be more than happy to be the one who replaces him,” Smalenberg said.
According to the Secretary of State's office, if organizers are able to get the needed number of signatures within a 60-day window, Cavitt would be the Republican nominee if he chooses to run in his own recall election. There will be a Democratic primary to determine that party's nominee. This is different than elections at the local level, which do not have a primary.
Another candidate, like Smalenberg, could also run in the recall general election, but it would be without party affiliation.
The listed head of the recall effort is Gary Wnuk of Alcona County, who was an alternate delegate to the Michigan Republican Party convention this past February. Last year, he was elected as a write-in candidate for the Fairview School Board. Wnuk has also served on the Alcona County Commission and was a vice chair of the county's Republican Party.
The recall language is good for 180 days, but organizers need to collect what will amount to 11,903 valid signatures – 25% of those who voted for governor in the 2022 gubernatorial election – within a 60-day window.
Smalenberg said what's behind Cavitt's recall “was a combination of things.” First was the Tate vote, which he equated to the U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet) voting for U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker. Second, Smalenburg claims Cavitt has a 50% voting record. In a 67% Republican district “That's not good odds. You're not actually doing the work for the people who voted you in.”
Third, Cavitt allegedly voted for the Gotion funding in committee, which Smalenberg compared to “giving the Chinese Community Party the keys to the house and keys to the car.”
Cavitt's press release also included the quote: “My constituents sent me to Lansing to fight for projects like the Cornwall Flooding, a Veterans Cemetery in Presque Isle County, and for workforce housing at Alpena Community College. This is simply a distraction that takes away from the real issues those in my district care about.”
Seven out of eight petitions filed for recall against state legislators were rejected for their lack of specificity when it comes to informing potential signees on what the recall was founded upon. The board decided a bill number and the legislator’s vote on that bill isn’t enough for a signee to make an informed decision. However, because Cavitt’s recall was filed due to his vote to make Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit) Speaker of the House and it didn’t include a bill number, his was the only recall petition approved.
