DOXXED: Michigan Dems Target State House Candidate Christine Barnes, Publicly Post Her Social Security Number

Barnes, with husband Tim, and Ted Nugent

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The Michigan Democratic Party, after recently attacking State Rep. Jeff Noble for visiting his sick wife in the hospital, is at it again: the Dems are now going after State House candidate Christine Barnes, posting her Social Security number in a public ad!

The incident is essentially the doxxing of a legislative candidate, bought and paid for- then promoted-by a major political party. Wow!

Barnes, an Eaton County Commissioner, is running to replace State Rep. Tom Barrett in a highly competitive race against Democrat Angela Witwer.

Michigan Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser blasted the ad in a statement.

“This is despicable,” Weiser said. “Christine Barnes is running for office to improve the lives of her fellow citizens, and the Michigan Democrat Party used all its resources to try to destroy hers. By releasing her Social Security number, they have broken the law and put Barnes’ identity and credit at risk. I call upon MDP to immediately pull this ad...Further, MDP owes Ms. Barnes an immediate apology.” 

Barnes has filed a report with the Michigan State Police. 

A press release from the Michigan Republican Party notes:

"Under Michigan law MDP employees face the following criminal penalties for violation of the Michigan Social Security Act: 

Those who publicly display with knowledge that the person's conduct violates this act is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both. See MCL 445.86(1). 

MDP is also civilly liable to Ms. Barnes under the following provision for violation of the Michigan Social Security Act:

(2) An individual may bring a civil action against a person who violates section 3 and may recover actual damages. If the person knowingly violates section 3, an individual may recover actual damages or $1,000.00, whichever is greater..."

Whether it was nefarious, or just more Dem incompetence, Chairman Weiser is right: the ad should be pulled immediately, and Brandon Dillon owes Barnes an apology.
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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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