CHARLEVOIX, MI – A Republican state representative under investigation on allegations of sexual assault and gun crimes lost his reelection bid Tuesday.
State Rep. Neil Friske, R-Charlevoix, was soundly defeated by challenger Parker Fairbairn during the Aug. 6 Republican primary by a tally of 10,561 votes to 6,190, or 63% to 37%, according to the unofficial results from the Secretary of State.
Fairbairn, who previously lost to Friske in the 2022 Republican primary, outraised and outspent Friske this cycle. He billed himself as a strong conservative who would work to represent the district with integrity.
“Limited government, lower taxes, secure borders, a strong economy, and integrity – this has been what our entire campaign has focused on and what propelled us to a historic victory tonight,” Fairbairn said in a statement early Wednesday. “We the People will once again have a voice in Lansing.”
Fairbairn now faces Democrat Jodi Decker for the seat in November. Decker ran unopposed Tuesday.
Related: Voters, Rep. Friske await charging decision on 6-weeks-old assault allegations
Friske, a first-term state representative and member of the highly conservative House Freedom Caucus, said early Wednesday that God has a different plan for his life than the legislature.
“In Lansing, where conformity often overshadows conviction, I’ve made it my mission to stand firm on principles that matter—principles that I feel are essential to conservatives,” Friske said. “It’s not about seeking approval or popularity; rather embodying integrity and serving the people of the 107th District with purpose amidst an environment rife with compromise.”
The ongoing investigation into Friske on allegations of sexual assault, assault and a firearms offense have hung over his reelection campaign.
It also appeared to boost his opponent’s fundraising efforts, with a majority of individual contributions to Fairbairn’s campaign coming in after the news of Friske’s arrest.
Friske has maintained his innocence, telling constituents he will be exonerated following the investigation.
Friske has been under investigation by Lansing police since he was arrested early June 20 in his Lansing neighborhood.
Police responded to Friske’s neighborhood on reports of a man with a gun and possible shots fired. While there, officers learned a woman had been possibly sexually assaulted.
The following day, Lansing police asked Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane to authorize single counts each of felony sexual assault, felony assault and a felony weapons offense against Friske.
Dewane called for further investigation by Lansing police before issuing any potential charges, and Friske was released from custody.
Lansing police told MLive last week that the investigation remains ongoing. Dewane’s office last week declined to comment on the case.
It isn’t clear what additional investigation is required for Dewane to make a decision on whether to charge Friske or not, as he has declined to comment.
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