Mich. Republicans face underage drinking charge

The state Liquor Control Commission is investigating an anonymous complaint about underage drinking occurring at the Michigan Republicans’ leadership conference Sept. 25 and 26.

About 55 MSU Republicans attended the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference, said Ashley Towner, vice chair of MSU College Republicans.

The complaint was filed after Central Michigan University student Vanessa Oblinger wrote a blog saying she and other underage college Republicans were served alcohol at parties during the conference.

“To my knowledge, none of the MSU Republicans were drinking,” Towner said. “We actually discussed at our meetings that the same rules that apply off the island apply on the island, and that minors under the age of 21 were not allowed to drink.”

Communications Representative for the Liquor Control Commission Andrea Miller said a complaint was filed about Oblinger’s blog, which since has been removed from the site.

“We’re aware of the allegations and our enforcement staff has an open investigation on that,” she said.

The conference was held at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. However, various Republicans hosted private parties at residencies on the island, Towner said. She said there was no alcohol served at the conference.

Director of Communications for the Michigan Republican Party Jennifer Hoff said all official conference activities were held at the hotel.

Representatives from the Grand Hotel could not be reached for comment.

Mark Brewer, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, has been critical of the allegations placed against the Republicans. He said he was on the island during the conference, and personally overheard several underage individuals discussing drinking.

He said he did not know if the underage drinking was allowed by members of the Republican party or not.

“Whether this was done intentionally or negligently, it was illegal,” he said.

Towner said because the MSU College Republicans were not at the event as a group, only as individuals with members of the Republican Party, if any underage MSU students who attended the conference did drink, they could not be penalized by the group. If the allegations are true, the law will handle any punishments, she said.

“Obviously, I’m sure the behavior was not condoned by the individuals we were traveling with,” Towner said. “I’m sure whatever candidate (the underage drinkers) were with did not appreciate it.”