News from
THE MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      
Contact: Liz Kerr
517-371-5410
February 27, 2008

Recall Petitions against DeRoche Refiled
Election Commission given four choices on petition language against Oakland County Rep who repeatedly puts drug industry and special interests ahead of citizens

LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) today refiled petitions to recall House Minority Leader Craig DeRoche (R-Novi), a leading figure in the effort to recall House members from both parties who voted to fully fund schools, police and fire protection, health care and other crucial public services. Oakland County rejected the first two recall petitions the MDP filed against DeRoche, citing a lack of clarity. For this resubmission, the MDP filed four different petitions to ensure the Commission would not have a legitimate excuse to reject the recall.

"Partisanship on the Elections Commission will not keep us from holding Craig DeRoche accountable for continuing to put corporate profits ahead of the lives of Michigan citizens," said Mark Brewer, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. "We have responded to the Commission's language concerns, and I expect swift approval of a petition to recall Craig DeRoche."

DeRoche has repeatedly voted against and blocked attempts to repeal Michigan's law that shields big drug companies from being held accountable for products that harm or kill patients. Michigan is the only state in the nation with such a law. If this law does not change, thousands of residents stand to be hurt in the future, yet DeRoche continues to defend pharmaceutical companies that manufacture and sell dangerous products.

"The shield for drug companies that DeRoche promotes endangers the lives of the people he represents," Brewer said. "DeRoche is blatantly ignoring his obligation to protect the health and welfare of the people of Michigan. While the Michigan Democratic Party seldom supports recall efforts, this egregious violation of public trust requires that we do everything we can to remove DeRoche from office."

An Oakland County resident filed the four petitions this afternoon to recall DeRoche. Once the petition language is approved by Oakland County officials, residents have 180 days to collect signatures to have DeRoche recalled.

###
Paid for by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee, 606 Townsend St., Lansing, MI  48933. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.