State says expelled Michigan lawmaker can run for old seat

 The Michigan secretary of state's office says an expelled lawmaker is eligible to run again for her old seat in a special election.
 
Spokesman Fred Woodhams said Monday that the department reviewed the issue after Republican Cindy Gamrat of Plainwell filed to run last week. The state House expelled her from office on Sept. 11 for her role in hiding her extramarital affair with another Republican legislator, Todd Courser.
 
Woodhams says the office is unaware of any law that prevents her from running in the Nov. 3 primary election. He says Michigan's constitution makes the House the "sole judge of the qualifications and elections of its members."
 
Courser, who resigned rather than be expelled, also is running to fill the remainder of a two-year term.