6/16/14 - A local political candidate says a tea party group is abusing public resources after sending out a mailing advising to contact his opponent, the Brighton Township treasurer, at her work office. The tea party group Americans for Prosperity Michigan sent out a mailing that encourages voters to support Republican Lana Theis in her campaign for the 42nd District State House seat. It directs phone calls to her office at the Brighton Township hall during normal business hours. Democrat Timothy Johnson, who is running against Theis for the open state house seat, says tea party groups have done a lot of complaining about government waste and abuse but is now abusing municipal resources by helping Theis campaign from her taxpayer-supported municipal office. He issued a press release requesting that Theis ask the group to stop including her office number on mailings. Theis responded to say that although her concerns on issues are accurately reflected, she had nothing to do with the flyer and had no knowledge of it prior to receiving calls. Theis says she did contact Americans for Prosperity upon receiving it in her mail box and was told that as an elected official, it was appropriate for information of concern to residents to be relayed to her work phone. Theis says she provides her cell phone number on campaign literature and to be certain that no township resources are being used, she has asked the tea party group to not use her work phone in the future. (JM)
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