GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Over a cold Bud Light and chips and cheese, Rep. Roy Schmidt and House Speaker Jase Bolger hashed out the final details for the Grand Rapids lawmaker’s candidate-filing-deadline party switch, text messages reveal.

The meeting at Bolger’s home in Marshall took place about 8:30 p.m. May 14, 20 hours before Schmidt would pull a stunning move that rocked Grand Rapids political circles, according to a Michigan State Police report detailing the election-rigging scandal.

Bolger and Schmidt had been texting back and forth throughout the day as Schmidt, his son, Ryan, and nephew, A.J., worked to secure Matt Mojzak as a plant Democrat. Once that seems to be in place, the pair arrange the rendezvous and Bolger asks Schmidt what his favorite beer is. Schmidt responds Bud Light.

“I’ll have one cold for u,” Bolger texts to Schmidt at 2:08 p.m.

Schmidt replies: “Great! I need my 1st favor! Remember back – schulers cheese/crackers? I begged you for more- in front of Molly (Bolger’s wife) and you delivered!”

“Will take care of u again,” Bolger says of getting munchies from a popular area restaurant.

Related: Roy Schmidt investigation short-circuited without all evidence in hand, Democrats claim

The exchanges end for about six hours until Schmidt is about to arrive at Bolger’s to go over the plan. Based on the end of the texts and when Schmidt sends another message, the pair likely met for more than an hour. The details of their conversation are not known, but each Schmidt and Bolger earlier confirmed that’s when the plan was finalized.

Bolger resumes the conversation at 6:33 the next morning, saying “now today I can say: Welcome to our team!

"I'm very glad to b working with u. U r going to do great things," the messages contained in the report show.



Related: Read earlier disclosure of texts between Schmidt and Bolger

Bolger continues that the men are sticking it to state Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer. Bolger alludes to Brewer not being willing to help Schmidt run for Grand Rapids mayor.

“Now u don’t need him,” Bolger wrote. “I don’t want u to do anything u r uncomfortable with, so no worries on talking about ur (Democratic) caucus…In fact, might b good to say they’re good people; several wld like to work together in bipartisan way but Brewer won’t tolerate.

“Brewer extreme and intolerant of differing views, especially religious ones like Right to Life.”

The Speaker continues that Schmidt’s move empowers Democrats to move away from Brewer. Brewer, through a party spokesperson, declined to comment, hoping to keep the attention on the shenanigans that Republicans orchestrated.

“I think ur courage today can give them courage to work together on some stuff with us. I believe u will be a great help for some of ur best Dem friends.”

Schmidt and Bolger stop communication while Schmidt works with Mojzak to change his address to the correct district and get his candidate affidavit notarized.

The lawmaker, his son and Mojzak drive around Grand Rapids in Mojzak’s Hummer before Schmidt tells Bolger “Done!” at 10:09 a.m.

Schmidt later delivers the paperwork to Phil Browne, Bolger’s deputy chief of staff, who is responsible for delivering the documents that enter Mojzak in the race. Browne also withdraws Schmidt’s Democratic paperwork and submits him as a Republican. Mojzak then bowed out of the election that Thursday.

Under the glare of media and angry Democrats, records show Schmidt and Bolger apparently hope the storm blows over during the weekend. Schmidt takes his wife for a getaway to Traverse City, records show.

But on May 20, the messages resume and seek to keep the focus on Brewer, not the scheme.

"Relax today. U've been worrying way too much," Bolger writes to Schmidt.

The men, who began working together in late April or early May, would later admit they acted in concert and lied to the public for nearly two months.

Related: Roy Schmidt admits lying about election shenanigans in interview: 'I knew this was wrong'

House Speaker Jase Bolger rejects calls for resignation in election scandal, says 'we lost sight that we ought to be focused on the people'

No criminal laws were broken, Kent County Prosecutor Bill Forsyth ruled and state Attorney General Bill Schuette has rejected requests to review the case, a fact that has led for calls to appoint an independent investigator.

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