Friends, I wanted to provide you with a brief update on two legal matters related to the past election cycle.
As many of you know, in the run-up to the August Republican primary, my campaign was sued by one of my primary opponents for what he claimed was “defamation of character” and “infliction of emotional distress.” I believe that this lawsuit was a political calculation and represents a new low for West Michigan politics, and I said so publicly at the time. As it turns out, the judge overseeing the case agreed.
On December 22, 2010, Judge Ed Post dismissed the lawsuit “with prejudice” writing that, “The timing of the filing of the complaint, just weeks before the primary election, suggests an attempt to gain political advantage over an opponent and a misuse of the judicial system.” This is a legal way saying the lawsuit is frivolous and without merit. In the end, the lawsuit served only to waste our limited tax dollars in the court system and to debase the electoral process. The threat of costly, frivolous lawsuits will undoubtedly deter some very good people from running for office and that is a real loss for our community. We must demand better from those seeking to represent us.
You may also remember that just days before the primary election another candidate’s campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission, alleging that I and my campaign treasurer had violated the Federal Election Campaign Act. I believe the allegation was meritless and timed for maximum political impact, and I said so publicly at the time.
Now after several months of investigation and considerable expense to tax payers, on February 16, 2011, “the Commission found…that there is no reason to believe the Jay Riemersma for Congress [campaign] violated [the Federal Election Campaign Act]. Accordingly the Commission closed its file in this matter.”
With both matters now settled and behind us, it feels as though a weight has been lifted off of our family. It was always our desire to run a campaign in such a way that we could look back without regrets over our conduct. I can say with confidence that that is indeed the case. We harbor no ill will over the outcome of the election or that factors that played into it, and we remain undaunted in our desire to stand for what we believe is right and serve our community. Whatever God has in store for us, we’re ready to move forward.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers, and may God bless you and your families.
For liberty,
Jay
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