News Summary
Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero is facing potential disqualification from the upcoming primary election in Detroit due to a dispute over a late filing fee. The controversy stems from a $250 fee regarding her October quarterly campaign report, with election officials claiming it was submitted late. Santiago-Romero, backed by documentation, insists that she filed on time. As she hires an attorney to challenge the disqualification, she weighs the option of running as a write-in candidate, having already gathered the required signatures to do so. This situation raises concerns about candidate compliance with campaign laws.
Detroit Councilwoman Faces Disqualification Over Filing Fee Mishap
Detroit is buzzing with buzz as the clock ticks down to the upcoming August primary. But there’s a cloud of uncertainty hanging over one of the city’s familiar faces — Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero. Election officials in Wayne County have reported that her name will likely be absent from the ballot due to a dispute surrounding a late filing fee.
What’s the Story?
The councilwoman’s troubles trace back to a disputed $250 late filing fee related to her campaign’s October quarterly report. While the Wayne County election officials claim that she submitted this important document late, Santiago-Romero maintains that she did so right on time, specifically on October 25, 2024. To back up her claim, she points to documentation, including an email receipt from the Clerk’s Office that appears to verify her assertion.
Claims and Counterclaims
According to the county, however, Santiago-Romero’s report was filed not on the 25th but on November 8, 2024. This discrepancy resulted in the late fee, leading to her disqualification from running in the party’s primary. The councilwoman received the disqualification notice at noon on a recent Monday, and she is currently doing everything she can to resolve this troubling situation.
Both Santiago-Romero and the county have provided various correspondences, including emails and certified letters, to support their different stances on the matter. As it stands, she has decided to hire attorney Mark Brewer to potentially challenge her disqualification in court, asserting her rights as a candidate as well as those of her supporters.
What’s Next?
If Santiago-Romero’s name does not end up on the ballot, she is not backing down without a fight. She is also thinking about the possibility of running as a write-in candidate. Last week, she successfully submitted over 600 signatures, which is more than double the amount she needed to qualify, showcasing her determination to have a voice in this election.
Her Track Record
It’s important to note that Santiago-Romero represents District 6, which includes parts of southwest Detroit and downtown. She made waves when she was elected to the City Council back in 2021, securing an impressive 74% of the vote. With her past success, her current predicament leaves many wondering about the future of her campaign.
Addressing the Issue
After receiving the disqualification notice, Santiago-Romero expressed her distress over the situation, highlighting her commitment to following campaign laws and the painstaking nature of regulatory compliance. The Wayne County Clerk’s Office did confirm that campaign finance issues can indeed lead to disqualifications, but they opted not to comment further due to the potential legal implications.
To add to the confusion, Santiago-Romero claims that the fine stemmed from a clerical error that the county had previously acknowledged and addressed. Documents from her campaign finance statements indicate that she received a notification on October 28, 2024, about supposedly missing the filing deadline. But the plot thickens, as another notice sent by the Wayne County Elections Division on November 11 stated that her quarterly report had been filed under the wrong category, resulting in the fine assessed on November 8.
Rallying Support
Despite the stress of regulatory hurdles, Santiago-Romero is rallying her community and supporters. She emphasizes the daunting task that regulatory compliance can pose for candidates like herself. With such a riveting chapter unfolding, it remains to be seen how this story will wrap up, and whether the councilwoman will get her chance to campaign for her constituents once again.
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Additional Resources
- The Detroit News: Santiago-Romero Faces Disqualification
- Bridge Detroit: Council Members Fight for Ballot Access
- Click on Detroit: ICE Activity Concerns in Detroit
- Daily Kos: Santiago-Romero and Black Tech Saturdays
- Click on Detroit: SW Detroit Residents Struggle
- Wikipedia: Michigan Elections
- Google Search: Detroit City Council
- Google Scholar: Gabriela Santiago-Romero
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Detroit
- Google News: Detroit Council Election
