Monroe County commissioners appeal ruling on Mark Brant’s seat

MONROE, Mich. — Monroe County commissioners voted Tuesday to appeal a judge’s ruling that could return a commission seat to Mark Brant, who served time in federal prison on a drug charge.

Last week, Washtenaw County Judge Carol Kuhnke ruled that Brant never legally vacated his District 2 seat while serving his 18-month sentence. The judge’s order temporarily paused the decision for 21 days, giving the county time to appeal.

Commissioners voted 5-3 to move forward with that appeal. Board Chairman David Vensel said the decision was necessary.

“Mr. Brant has hoodwinked this board and the residents of District 2 for a year and a half,” Vensel said during the meeting. “We need to see this through to the end and we need to move forward with an appeal.”

Brant resigned from the board in October 2023 after pleading guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises, but was re-elected the following month. Commissioners later voted to declare him ineligible, and the seat has remained vacant since January.

In the meantime, the county scheduled a special election to fill the position. Dale Biniecki, a Republican from Raisinville Township, and Danielle Hoover, a Democrat from Milan, are set to face off in November’s general election.

Biniecki said letting Brant return to the seat would undercut voters.

“The citizens of District 2 haven’t had representation in over 290 days and we can’t let things like this keep going on and on,” he said. “Thousands of people voted in this primary … and this is all void. This can’t happen here in America.”

According to Monroe County attorney Philip Goldsmith, the appeal means the November election will still move forward. If the appeal loses, Brant could be reinstated to his seat.

Brant was in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting, but declined an interview with WTOL 11.