A Detroit woman whose felony conviction inspired her to run for public office is attempting to form a new political party in hopes of making the November ballot as a statewide candidate.
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers on Tuesday approved the form of a petition submitted by Danetta Simpson of Detroit, who is seeking to establish “The Independent Non Affiliation Party of Michigan.”
She’ll have to collect 32,261 signatures — including 100 from at least half of the state’s 14 congressional districts — by July 17. If she manages to pull it off, she could then hold a nominating convention to put herself or other candidates on the November ballot.
The 42-year-old single mother got interested in politics after a 1998 conviction for assault with intent to commit murder. She maintains innocence but pleaded no contest and court records show she was sentenced to just two weeks in jail.
After release and a year on probation, Simpson said she had difficulty finding work, prompting her to run for various offices on a platform that included prison-parole employment programs.
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