MONROE COUNTY, Michigan — A Monroe County commissioner is resigning following a federal drug conviction, District 5 commissioner and vice chairman of the board, Randy Richardville confirmed to WTOL 11 Wednesday.
Mark Brant, who represents District 2 in Monroe County and serves as chairman for the board of commissioners, pleaded guilty in March to one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises. He was sentenced earlier this month to 18 months in prison and will be on supervised release for two years after his incarceration.
Brant's Dec. 15, 2022 indictment accused him of distributing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and marijuana in violation of federal law.
Brant is up for reelection in November, hoping to retain his seat on the all-Republican board and is running unopposed. Richardville told WTOL 11 on Tuesday that it's too late to take Brant off the ballot, but if the convicted commissioner is re-elected, Richardville noted it's up to the newly elected board to decide what happens next.
"It's a possibility that a write-in candidate can say 'Hey, given the circumstances, I'm going to run for this position,'" Richardville said.
Rick Kull, the Democratic Party chairman in Monroe County, said the party plans on campaigning for write-in candidate Danielle Hoover.
Richardville told WTOL 11 on Tuesday he does not believe the Republican Party has selected an alternative candidate to Brant to campaign for as a write-in.
WTOL 11 has reached out to the Mark Brant and the Monroe County Republican Party for comment and is waiting to hear back.
Commissioners elected in November 2024, and who are sworn in in 2025, will hold their seats for four years. Richardville said Tuesday that if Brant is removed from or vacates his seat within the first two years of his four year term, there will be a special election.