Town votes out all local officials because of ties to Chinese factory

10 November 2023 , 00:00

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In Michigan, a town showed just how much votes count - all of Green Charter Township's five board members were removed in a recall election (Image: Greenship Town)

Voters in a Michigan community removed five local officials in a recall election fueled by opposition to a Chinese company’s plan to make components for electric vehicle batteries.

The Green Township supervisor, clerk, treasurer and two trustees — all Republicans — were defeated Tuesday by challengers who listed no party affiliation.

"This recall shows how the community did not want this," recall advocate Lori Brock told The Detroit News, referring to the factory. "This just means we have a voice again."

The five officials were part of a 7-0 vote last December supporting a factory by Gotion, a China-based manufacturer, in the Mecosta County township. The project, valued at more than $2 billion, could bring thousands of jobs.

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Michigan township Green Charter votes out its entire local government over China-linked EV battery maker Gotion's plan to build a factory (Michigan Economic Development Corporation)

It also has the support of state officials, including Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Millions of dollars in financial incentives have been approved.

But critics point to possible environmental impacts in the rural area, about 60 miles (95 kilometres) north of Grand Rapids, and concerns about national security. An opponent, former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, said Chinese companies serve the Chinese government.

Jim Chapman, the township supervisor who was removed from office, has called the project a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s called democracy,” Chapman said after being removed by voters.

Before the recall election, Chuck Thelen, vice president for Gotion’s North American operations, said the factory was a “done deal” and that job applicants were being screened.

Earlier this year, he said there was no plot to make “Big Rapids a centre to spread communism,” a reference to a nearby city. An opposition group, named the Mecosta Environmental and Security Alliance, has threatened to sue over environmental impacts. Nearby in Big Rapids Township, Supervisor Bill Stanek was also recalled. He, too, supported the factory.

Also in Tuesday's election, Michigan Democrats who have controlled the governor’s office and slim majorities in both chambers of the Legislature will lose their full control after two state representatives won mayoral races.

Democrats who have clung to a one-seat majority in the Pennsylvania House will soon see the chamber return to a 101-101 tie after a suburban Philadelphia incumbent was elected district judge.

Democrats have been able to push through a number of key pieces of legislation in Michigan since they flipped both chambers in the Legislature while holding onto the governor’s office in last year’s midterms, giving them full control for the first time in 40 years.

Two Democratic state representatives, Lori Stone and Kevin Coleman, won mayoral races Tuesday in their own districts in suburban Detroit. The wins will eliminate Democrat’s two-seat majority in the state House and put the chamber in a 54-54 deadlock until special elections can be held for the seats. Democrats will still control the agenda, but they will no longer hold a voting advantage.

It’s not yet clear when special elections will be held in the two districts — which each heavily favour Democrats — but it’s expected to be at least several months.

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The governor — in this case, Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — may call a special election in the representative’s district when a seat is vacated or may direct that the vacancy be filled at the next general election, according to Michigan law.

The entire Michigan House of Representatives will be up for election in next year’s November general election. Coleman won his mayoral race in Westland, while Stone won in Warren. Each is expected to be sworn into office later this month after the election is certified, according to local officials.

Democrats have known the loss of full control was a possibility and are expected to try to pass a number of bills this week before Stone and Coleman are sworn into their mayoral positions.

Yelena Mandenberg