Tea partiers challenge Calley's spot in Michigan governor's race

EAST LANSING - A day before Saturday's Michigan Republican Party convention, State Rep. Brian Calley said he planned to meet as many delegates as possible to pave the way for his nomination as lieutenant governor.

But his efforts did not prevent a challenge Saturday, when members of the Tea Party of West Michigan nominated their own candidate, Bill Cooper of Fruitport, for lieutenant governor instead.

That challenge was part of a headlong confrontation Saturday between party regulars and tea party activists, who also were angry at delays in getting credentials Saturday morning at the Breslin Center.

Bill Gavette, 47 a delegate and tea party activist from Attica, said he is concerned that Calley played a key role in crafting the Michigan Business Tax, which is despised by some conservatives. FULL STORY