Pamela Sossi

In 2016, Pamela Sossi ran "an aggressive campaign" against incumbent State Representative Brian Banks, for the Democratic nomination in the 1st District in the Michigan House of Representatives.[13] The 1st District includes Harper Woods, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Shores and a portion of northeast Detroit.[14] Sossi's campaign was endorsed by the Detroit Free Press,[15] National Organization for Women,[16] Sheet Metal Workers International Association, United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers, Michigan Retailers Association,[17] Michigan Restaurant Association[18] and the Michigan Credit Union League.[19]

During the campaign, attack pieces were mailed to voters that listed defunct Political Action Committees (PAC) in the political disclaimer required under the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA).[20] The mail pieces sought to label Sossi as a Republican. Sossi is a member of the Michigan Democratic Party and a lifelong Democrat. Her boyfriend, Mike Norris, is a political consultant registered as a Republican in Florida. "My boyfriend isn't running for the seat," Sossi said.[21]

The first mailer featured pictures of Sossi and her boyfriend with then Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump photoshopped into the pictures. The mailer listed "Democrats for Michigan" in the political disclaimer, and stated: "Michigan does not need Donald Trump and we don't need Pam Sossi." According to the State of Michigan, "Democrats for Michigan" disbanded in 2001. Mark Lezotte, a Detroit attorney who was previously the committee's treasurer, stated that he was unaware that the defunct PAC's name and address were being used to distribute the mailers.[22]

The second mailer listed "Leadership for a Better Michigan" in the political disclaimer and claimed that Sossi had accepted the endorsements of "known Republicans like Kurt Culler." Culler is a Harper Woods High School math teacher who previously taught Sossi, and is a member of the Michigan Democratic Party. "Leadership for a Better Michigan" was a Kalamazoo County-based group associated with former State Rep. Lorence Wenke. "I would like to know who it is," Wenke said. "I would like to charge them with some criminal activity..." Wenke then joked that it seems you have to murder someone to be found guilty of a crime in politics.[23] According to the State of Michigan, the PAC disbanded in 2006.[24]

On June 28, 2016, Brian Banks was charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. Because of Banks eight previous felony convictions, he was charged as a habitual offender and could have faced life in prison if convicted of the new felonies.[25]

On July 1, 2016, Banks held a rally at Bethany Christian Church, where his supporters claimed the new felony charges were unjust.[26] Detroit City Council President, Brenda Jones called the charges "...a disgrace." Jones and the other supporters who spoke argued that the charges were politically driven by Attorney General Bill Schuette, in an attempt to support Pamela Sossi's bid for the Democratic nomination. Schuette denied the suggestions, stating "That's just not true," during an interview with The Detroit News Editorial Board and reporters. "The fact is the FBI worked on this, passed it to the U.S. Attorney and it came to the Department of Attorney General. That's what happened." At the time of the charges, the administration of President Barack Obama, a Democrat, ran the Federal Bureau of Investigation. U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade was an Obama appointee. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Brandon Dillon said it was "outrageous" that Schuette filed the charges against Banks. State Rep. Thomas Stallworth III called the Attorney General's case "...a miscarriage of justice."[27]

In July 2016 Kevin Trayer, the Postmaster of the Richland Post Office, investigated Brian Banks for mail fraud, concerning the mail pieces.[28]

As the Chair of the Detroit Caucus, Banks was able to enlist the help of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan,[29] other lawmakers and interest groups in Lansing to raise $140,545,[30] second most of all candidates facing Primary challengers.[31] Records show that Banks major financial backers included Republican "Matty" Moroun (owner of the Detroit International Bridge Co.), State Rep. Andy Schor, Reynolds American, Rizzo Environmental Services and Gaspar Fiore.[32] Rizzo Environmental and Fiore would later be ensnared in a public corruption investigation by the FBI.[33]

Despite Banks significant fundraising advantage, Sossi led the race throughout the night until last minute votes were reported, giving Banks a narrow victory.[34] Sossi swept the suburbs, winning Harper Woods, Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores, while Banks won Detroit. According to the Detroit Free Press, the 1st House District Primary Election was the most competitive election in Wayne County.[35]

On September 15, 2016, Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson ruled that Brian Banks used House funds or resources to mail invitations to an event promoting his campaign against Sossi, a violation of section 57 of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. As a result, Banks was required to personally reimburse the Michigan House of Representatives for the materials and labor misused.[36]

In December 2016, Brian Banks filed a motion to have Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette's office disqualified from the case, again claiming that the charges brought against him were politically motivated collusion between Pamela Sossi and the Attorney General, timed to ensure Banks lost his bid for re-election.[37] Wayne County Circuit Judge Michael Hathaway dismissed Banks motion, ruling that the key question was not why Banks may have been charged, but whether he committed the crimes alleged in the charges.[38]

On February 6, 2017, just 26 days into his third term in the Michigan House of Representatives, Brian Banks resigned his seat as part of a plea deal to avoid prison time.[39]

By 9 am, February 8, 2017, Banks was sending e-mails to supporters inviting them to a March 6 fundraiser for his PAC, Bank on Banks for Michigan, leading to speculation that he would be running for future office, or financially backing his chosen successor.[40] The fundraiser was held at Sinbad's restaurant in Detroit, and advertised tickets starting at $50 and topping out at $5,000 for a platinum sponsorship.[41]

On February 9, 2017, Pamela Sossi declared her intention to run in the Special Election called to fill the vacancy that would be left by Brian Banks resignation or incarceration.[42]

On February 16, 2017, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder called a Special Election to fill the vacancy left by Banks resignation. Both the Governor and the Secretary of State's office ruled that Banks was not eligible to run for his own seat, ending speculation that he might do so. Additionally, Representative Aaron Miller filed HB 4208 to ensure that expelled or resigned former members could not run in the Special Election called because of the vacancy they caused.[43]

In April 2017, Brian Banks childhood friend, Tenisha Yancey, filed to run for the seat.[44]

Sossi's 2017 campaign was endorsed by The Detroit News[45] and The Detroit Free Press,[46] International Brotherhood of Teamsters,[47][48] United Steelworkers, United Association Local 636, Michigan Farm Bureau,[49] Michigan Manufacturers Association, Auto Dealers of Michigan, Small Business Association of Michigan,[50] Michigan Realtors Association,[51] Senator Coleman A. Young II,[52] Senator Rebekah Warren[53] and David Cotton of Meridian Health Plan.[54]

According to Yancey, disgraced former Rep. Brian Banks "volunteered a lot" on her campaign, making "personal visits in the District to convince his still-loyal constituents to vote for Yancey."[55]

During the election, numerous reports surfaced regarding Yancey's history of felony charges, including felony retail fraud, aggravated stalking, felonious use of a firearm, vandalism and trying to use her car to harm a romantic rival. According to public records, Yancey spent months incarcerated in various county jails.[56]

Despite the reports about Yancey's violent past, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan again intervened to defeat Sossi.[57] Duggan aggressively campaigned for Yancey, even voicing a robocall on her behalf.[58] According to Mayor Duggan, the main reason he supported Yancey concerned Sossi's failure to support the Mayor's "D-insurance legislation." This legislation would allow automotive insurance coverage with reduced coverage for Detroiters, without guaranteeing a reduction in automotive insurance rates. The Mayor stated "I am very impressed with the way Tenisha Yancey turned her life around and became an accomplished prosecutor, and she is committed to supporting my initiative to reduce car insurance rates for Detroiters, whereas Pam Sossi was in the pocket of the medical providers and unscrupulous attorneys who are ripping off our residents." Curiously, Yancey's campaign distributed literature featuring a statement from Brian Banks endorsing her — and bragging that Banks was very proud of opposing Duggan's D-insurance plan.[59]

As she did in 2016, Sossi again swept the suburbs winning Harper Woods, Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores. Unlike the 2016 Primary Election, Sossi also won Absentee Ballots.[60] Ultimately, Brian Banks was able to take advantage of unusually low voter turnout to utilize his political and financial network to guide Yancey to a 198-vote victory, ensuring that she would replace him in the Michigan House of Representatives due to the voter registration of the District.[61]