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District 1 Race Narrows After Zichi Withdraws
Libertarian write-in candidate Zachary Zichi is ineligible to run for state legislature as he is under the 21-years-of-age requirement.
Libertarian candidate Zachary Zichi will resign his candidacy on Monday due to not meeting the state's age requirement of 21 year of age.
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Zachary Zichi, the Libertarian write-in candidate for Michigan's 1st District seat to the state House of Representatives, has said he will withdraw his candidacy on Monday after learning that he is too young to run for state office.
Zichi was a late add to the November race, only filing his candidacy papers in late September. A lifelong resident of Harper Woods and city parks employee, Zichi is a 19-year-old college student who took the fall term off to campaign for the House of Representatives seat.
The Michigan Constitution requires that all candidates must reside in Michigan for at least six months, meet the requirements of local residence and be at least 21 years of age.
On Friday, Patch contacted Zichi about the age requirement.
In an email response to Patch, Zichi said, "Thank you for contacting me, I am aware of problem and I am officially withdrawing from the race on Monday morning..."
According to Fred Woodhams of the Michigan Department of State, the 21-years-of-age requirement only applies to state-level office and not to local public office such as school board members or municipal council seats.
Zichi said in his email to Patch that once he withdraws from the race, he would be putting his support behind Republican Dan Schulte.
Brian Banks is the Democratic candidate.
Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.
Frank Walshingham
2:24 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
I guess the Grosse Pointe League of Women Voters did not do their homework before they presented Mr. Zichi to the public as a legitimate candidate. Certainly the Democrats did not do their homework and properly vet Mr. Banks before letting an 8 time felon represent the party. Even Benny Napolean admits he was bamboozled by Mr. Banks pretending to be a lawyer.
John Chronos
2:48 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
It is probably a good idea that candidates for state office be familiar with the constitution that they will be serving. In just the same way, it is probably a good idea that candidates for federal office be familiar with the United States Constitution. Perhaps they should be required to take an exam before filing their petitions!
GP For Life
1:19 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Whenever you refer to Brian Banks, I request that you use the preface "convicted felon".
It's good to see a young Libertarian out there trying to make a difference.
Chris K
11:03 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Zachary: Keep your nose clean and take one step at a time. You have a very promising future in politics should you pursue that course in your future. It will be refreshing one day to not have to face the prospect of having a convicted felon who can not even vote as a representative and, when District 1 is 74% democratic, the prospects of this occurring in the near term are quite high. How utterly sad.
Robert
9:21 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Why would the LOWV put him up there without checking something like this?????
I know at least 2 people that have already voted for Mr. Zichi, now their votes are wasted!!!!!