and Cindy Gamrat each making a bid to regain their House seats in special
elections, it’s worth taking a look back at what expelled senator Dave Jaye
said in 2001 when he ran to regain the seat from which he was ousted.
First, the legality
of Jaye running for the seat was verified within weeks of his May 24 expulsion,
so it’s difficult to comprehend why state elections chief Chis Thomas is going
down that path again regarding Courser and Gamrat.
Jaye’s “let the
voters decide” tact echoes the approach taken by the two ousted House members
last week. The Senate’s expulsion process in 2001 faced heavy criticism, much
as the House’s handling of the Courser/Gamrat affair was questioned.
“No American
should be fired based on allegations, not convictions,” Jaye said.
“My personal problems did not affect my work as a senator.”
The Washington
Township Republican was removed due to three drunken driving convictions, hitting
his fiance, and mistreating Senate staff.
The Jaye story made
national news, but in a much more serious tone than the jokes on late-night TV
prompted by the bizarre aspects of the Courser/Gamrat behavior.
This is from the
July 27, 2001, edition of The Chicago Tribune:
“… Republicans
expressed skepticism about Jaye’s possible return to office.
“‘There’s certainly
a lot of interest in looking for someone whose behavior is a little more
consistent and appropriate,” Gov. John Engler said.
“Jaye could be
returned to jail for up to 10 months on charges he violated probation for one
drunken-driving conviction. The court hearing is Aug. 2.
“‘I’ve paid my dues.
I’m not going to jail,’ Jaye said.”
Jaye avoided jail and
he concocted a campaign message based on his support among women. He cited his
role in creating a newly permissive concealed carry law for gun owners and his
backing for two women who were suing the University of Michigan over the school’s
affirmative action policies.
In typical Jaye
fashion, he chose to announce his candidacy in the special election on the
Fourth of July. And he said this (which sounds a lot like Courser):
“The significance of the Independence Day announcement was
to declare independence from the Lansing party bosses and to declare
independence from Lansing special interests.”
the day of the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, to Alan
Sanborn, who went on to win the seat in a general election.
