Up North Progressive

Petition language for a recall campaign on State Legislator Larry Inman (R – 104) was submitted to the Michigan Board of State Canvassers by the Recall Inman Committee on Friday, July 19, 2019. Petition canvassers will have 60 days to collect 12,000 signatures to trigger a special election and remove Inman from his seat once the language is approved. The recall campaign will take place in Inman’s district in Grand Traverse County.

On May 14, 2019, Larry Inman was indicted in federal court for extortion and lying to the FBI after he told union leaders they needed to pay him money if they wanted him to vote in their favor on the prevailing wage bill. Attempts to oust Inman from the State House have been bipartisan, but Inman refuses to leave, insisting he will finish his term. On June 6, 2019, Inman’s attorney issued a press release that the state representative was suffering from Opioid use and would need time to be evaluated by a doctor. The press release was Inman’s response to a resolution drafted in the Michigan State House with bipartisan support the previous day demanding Inman resign.

Unfortunately, since May 15, 2019, Inman has missed votes on over 80 bills that have been sent to the floor of the house chamber. He also missed meetings with the company redeveloping the former state mental hospital. His trial set to begin in August may be delayed because his lawyers are working on finding medical evidence for Inman’s defense.

The people of the 104th State House District have had enough. Inman’s absence from Lansing is not in the best interests of the people he was elected to represent. The Recall Inman Committee wants Inman removed by special election if they can collect the 12,000 signatures needed to start the process. Petition co-sponsor Sondra Hardy explained why they were seeking a recall campaign against Inman:

This is about representation, not partisan politics. When a Grand Traverse County resident needs information or help from their State Representative, no one is there to even answer the phone. Since May, Inman has been collecting his paycheck but not showing up for work. I can’t imagine any other job that would let you do that. There is work to do in Lansing for Grand Traverse County, and Larry isn’t doing it. The citizens of Grand Traverse deserve better. He has left us with only one option – to call for a recall election.

Collecting 12,000 signatures in 60 days will require volunteers and donations. You can sign up here to volunteer.

The Michigan State Board of Canvassers is scheduled to have a meeting on Friday, July 26, 2019, in Lansing. Approving the language for Recall Inman Committee’s petition language does not appear on the agenda, but there is an agenda item that allows for any new business that may be presented to the board at the meeting.