Pontiac Mayoral Candidate's Conviction Sparks Election Integrity Debate.
A local activist has filed an emergency motion in Wayne County Circuit Court, challenging the eligibility of Pontiac mayoral candidate Michael McGuinness to run for office under a state constitutional amendment inspired by former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's corruption scandal.
McGuinness, currently president of the Pontiac City Council, was involved in an election-fraud scheme during the 2010 campaign cycle. He was accused of forging documents and placing three Tea Party candidates on the ballot to mislead voters and draw votes away from Republicans in several local races. In 2011, McGuinness was convicted of uttering and publishing and perjury, and sentenced to probation, community service, and a $1,000 fine.
The motion argues that McGuinness's past felony convictions bar him from seeking public office under the Michigan constitutional amendment, which prohibits former public officials convicted of a felony involving "dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or breach of the public trust" from holding elected office or a high-level public job for 20 years. The amendment was widely seen as a response to Kilpatrick's corruption scandal and was approved by voters in November 2010.
McGuinness's opponent, community activist Marcus Kelley, has submitted an emergency motion seeking to unseal McGuinness's court records, which have been sealed since his conviction. Kelley argues that the unsealing of the records is necessary to ensure transparency and public integrity.
"This is not just a matter of personal vindication or attack on Mr. McGuinness," said Todd Russell Perkins, Kelley's attorney. "It's an issue of public importance because these are felony offenses in which he tried to affect the outcome of an election."
The motion raises questions about whether serving as a political party chair qualifies as holding a position in local, state, or federal government under the amendment.
McGuinness has not responded to multiple requests for comment. Kelley intends to seek further legal action depending on what the unsealed records reveal.
As the election heats up, this development highlights concerns about election integrity and transparency in Michigan politics. The question now is whether McGuinness's past conviction will disqualify him from running for mayor of Pontiac.
A local activist has filed an emergency motion in Wayne County Circuit Court, challenging the eligibility of Pontiac mayoral candidate Michael McGuinness to run for office under a state constitutional amendment inspired by former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's corruption scandal.
McGuinness, currently president of the Pontiac City Council, was involved in an election-fraud scheme during the 2010 campaign cycle. He was accused of forging documents and placing three Tea Party candidates on the ballot to mislead voters and draw votes away from Republicans in several local races. In 2011, McGuinness was convicted of uttering and publishing and perjury, and sentenced to probation, community service, and a $1,000 fine.
The motion argues that McGuinness's past felony convictions bar him from seeking public office under the Michigan constitutional amendment, which prohibits former public officials convicted of a felony involving "dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or breach of the public trust" from holding elected office or a high-level public job for 20 years. The amendment was widely seen as a response to Kilpatrick's corruption scandal and was approved by voters in November 2010.
McGuinness's opponent, community activist Marcus Kelley, has submitted an emergency motion seeking to unseal McGuinness's court records, which have been sealed since his conviction. Kelley argues that the unsealing of the records is necessary to ensure transparency and public integrity.
"This is not just a matter of personal vindication or attack on Mr. McGuinness," said Todd Russell Perkins, Kelley's attorney. "It's an issue of public importance because these are felony offenses in which he tried to affect the outcome of an election."
The motion raises questions about whether serving as a political party chair qualifies as holding a position in local, state, or federal government under the amendment.
McGuinness has not responded to multiple requests for comment. Kelley intends to seek further legal action depending on what the unsealed records reveal.
As the election heats up, this development highlights concerns about election integrity and transparency in Michigan politics. The question now is whether McGuinness's past conviction will disqualify him from running for mayor of Pontiac.
. I mean, come on, he was found guilty of forgery and perjury back in 2011? That's some serious stuff! You can't just run for public office with a felony conviction hanging over your head and expect everyone to trust you again 
. And now Marcus Kelley is trying to expose those sealed court records? That's the right move, in my opinion 
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. The fact that McGuinness was involved in an election-fraud scheme and was able to get away with it for so long is just disturbing 
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. So, fingers crossed that Kelley gets those records unsealed and McGuinness gets knocked out of the running 
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. Like, I know we've all got our skeletons in the closet, but a felony conviction that involves election fraud? That's just a whole different level 
. I feel bad for Marcus Kelley, he's really trying to hold Michael McGuinness accountable for his actions. But at the same time, you gotta wonder if this is just politics as usual 
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. It's like, we need to know what we're voting for, right? But on the other hand, McGuinness has already served his time, so like, does he really deserve another chance? 
. We can't let past mistakes or dirty tricks slide if we want true change in our communities 
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and now hes tryna run 4 mayor? its not like hes gonna break the law again lol! Kelley's just trying 2 stir up drama 4 clout. newsflash: elections rnt perfect 
what matters is if mcguinness can lead pontiac forward, not his past mistakes. btw, didnt we jst vote in this election already? cant we just move on?
So like a candidate who got convicted of election fraud and has to deal with this whole eligibility thing? It's kinda sketchy, ya know? 
Like they were messing with the system and now they wanna be part of it again? 
We need to make sure our politicians are above board. The courts will decide if McGuinness is eligible or not. 
. I don't know what the answer is here, but something doesn't feel right 
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It's like saying someone who's made mistakes in the past can't learn from them or move forward.
maybe this is an opportunity for michigan to take a closer look at their election laws and make some real changes. we need more accountability in our politicians 
. But this guy's got some serious skeletons in his closet 
. I mean, forging documents and trying to mess with voters? That's not just shady, that's a full-on crime 
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. That just feels like more shady behavior to me. 
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- first Kilpatrick, now McGuinness? seems like the system's broke if u ask me... need more transparency in politics so we know who's trustworthy and not 
. I was at this one cafe last weekend and I ordered a latte with an extra shot of espresso... and then I saw it on the table - "burnt vanilla" just casually listed as an option 