GOP candidates for governor survive nominating petition challenges

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers recommended both Republican Congressman John James and businessman Perry Johnson advance.
 
Though a group tied to James accused the Johnson camp of printing a campaign finance statement on petition sheets after they’d already been signed. Attorney Michael Pattwell is with “Mission Michigan.”
 
“That’s forgery under the election law. That’s not even a close call.”
 
The canvassing board and Johnson’s team both dismissed those claims as last minute, after a challenge deadline had passed. Johnson lawyer Jon Burns:
 
“It’s an obvious, bad faith smear attempt.”
 
The board found a third Republican candidate for governor, Ralph Rebandt, did not get enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.