Michigan election official confirm Thaddeus McCotter doesn't have enough signatures to make ballot

DETROIT – U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter has officially fallen short of having enough signatures to make the August ballot for his Detroit-area congressional seat.

The Republican from Livonia had said on Saturday he was ending his write-in campaign for the 11th Congressional District.

The congressman last week said he had been told by state officials that it appeared so many of the 2,000 signatures his campaign submitted had problems that he wouldn't have the 1,000 needed to get on the Aug. 7 GOP primary ballot. The Michigan Board of Canvassers confirmed Wednesday that only 244 were valid. Most had been photocopied or cut and pasted onto other pages.

In an interview with Local 4, McCotter had said he had left the task of collection signature up to his staff and that he would have to deal with the "mess."

But after announcing to cease his campaign and the official boot from state officials, McCotter ends his 10-year career in Michigan politics.

McCotter's statement

"One can't clean up a mess multitasking. Honoring my promise to the sovereign people of our community only allows me to finish the official duties of my present Congressional term; and aid the State Attorney General criminal investigation that I requested into identifying the person or persons who concocted the fraudulent petitions that have cost me so dearly. Honoring this promise does not allow me to continue a political write-in campaign. This decision is final, regardless of how swiftly the investigation is concluded. To those who unhappy at this news, I'm sorry; to those happy at this news, you're welcome."