Brian Banks Seated in State House Without a Challenge

Brian Banks, a Democrat who will represent Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores in the state House of Representatives, was sworn into the legislative body on Wednesday, according to MLive.

Banks easily won the newly drawn 1st District in the November election. But questions about Banks’ past—he had eight felony convictions from 1998 through 2004 for credit card fraud and passing bad checks— and other financial problems had some Republicans considering a challenge to his seating, according to the Detroit Free Press.

But on Wednesday, Banks took his seat in the state House without a challenge, according to the Detroit News. 

A 2010 amendment to the state's constitution bars felons from holding state office if they have a conviction involving fraud or dishonesty in the last 20 years. Some Democrats argued because Banks is a first-time officeholder, this rule may not apply to him.