April 15, 2024
Watchdog Group Files Election Law Complaint Against Special Election House Candidate
Lansing, Mich. – Conservative government watchdog group Michigan Rising Action today filed a complaint with the Attorney General against 25th District House candidate, Peter Herzberg, for his use of a doctored photo designed to trick the public into believing he was the incumbent candidate.
A prominently displayed picture from Herzberg’s website, it is clear that Herzberg deliberately advertised a false impression of incumbency in blatant violation of MCL 168.944, which prohibits campaign material that implies incumbency.
The photo in question shows Herzberg in business attire, superimposed on a photo of the Michigan House of Representatives floor, sporting a circular lapel pin, much like the one members of the Michigan House of Representatives are required to wear as credential to access the house floor.
“Herzberg very carefully does not use the phrase ‘candidate’ anywhere on his campaign’s homepage,” said Abby Michigan, Executive Director of Michigan Rising Action. He talks about public service and elected office, but is careful to bury that he is a city councilman. This doctored photo is prominently featured – not only is on his campaign website, but it is the preview image for anyone sharing the link and the page’s go-to thumbnail photo. If you only saw one photo of Peter Herzberg, he wanted to make sure this was it.”
In 2018, an Ann Arbor state senate candidate was charged with a misdemeanor for a far less blatant violation. She was charged for a mailer that said, “Our current State Senate lacks representation in diversity and gender.”
“Mr. Herzberg should be held appropriately accountable for his blatant attempt to deceive the public about his credentials and obvious violation of Michigan law,” Mitch said. “No one is above the law. Should Mr. Herzbeg make it to Lansing, he should be watched closely, as he kicked off his legislative career in deliberate violation of the public’s trust.”
Herzberg is the Democrat candidate in a special election to be held tomorrow, April 16, to fill a vacancy left by Kevin Coleman, when he resigned to assume office as the city of Westland’s mayor.
A copy of Michigan Rising Action’s complaint can be found here.
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