Hundreds of volunteers — and over 3,500 signers — step up to get Dr. Bob Lorinser on the ballot.
One thousand signatures are required for any Congressional candidate to appear on the primary ballot. In just a few weeks, the Lorinser campaign captured over 3,500 signatures, and he officially filed with the maximum of 2,000 Friday morning.
LANSING, Mich. — Hundreds of volunteers and petition canvassers successfully mobilized in the effort to get Dr. Bob Lorinser on the primary ballot for U.S. Congress in Michigan's 1st District. The effort followed a technical issue with a previous set of unfiled petitions, all over the prefix “Dr."
Although "Dr." is clearly not allowed on the ballot or the affidavit of identity, no law or statute prohibits it on the petition.
"The campaign got word that we would be challenged on our petitions," said Dr. Lorinser. "With no desire to litigate the issue, we recirculated new petitions and successfully recaptured over 3,500 internally-validated signatures in just a few weeks. The mobilization was an extraordinary and unprecedented effort by everyone involved."
In record time, volunteers helped the campaign accomplish the ambitious goal by hosting over 30 petition outlets, a dozen pop-up events, several drive-thru signings and hundreds of people canvassing door-to-door to meet with voters. Voters across the political spectrum — Democrats, Republicans and Independents — came out in droves.
“The people decide elections, and the people deserve the opportunity to vote for the better candidate," said Dr. Lorinser. "Voters in this district are tired of being discounted. Using a technicality to block a candidate from the ballot shows fear and weakness and would've been a disservice to democracy.”
“We weren't going to take any chances.” — Dr. Bob
Dr. Lorinser says he's excited to be officially filed as a primary candidate and eager to take on Jack Bergman in the General Election this November.
"Overcoming the technicality was a distraction," said Dr. Lorinser. "But, the effort proved our campaign is a threat, our volunteers and staff are remarkably capable, and we can win in August and November. I feel energized. I wasn't going to let anyone or anything keep me off that ballot. This election is too important.
"It's time to get back to the issues. I am officially challenging Jack Bergman to a televised debate. Voters need to hear from both of us, side by side, and decide who is the best candidate for the job. Especially after this outpouring of support, I'm confident I can earn the votes necessary to serve the people."
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Dr. Bob Lorinser has been a licensed, practicing physician in the State of Michigan for over 30 years. He is unopposed in the Democratic primary election on Aug. 2, 2022, and will carry the election to face incumbent Jack Bergman this November.
