LANSING — Dr. Bob Lorinser, who is seeking the 1st Congressional District seat, turned in enough ballots with the Bureau of Elections in Lansing to get on the primary ballot.

According to a news release from the Lorinser campaign, 1,000 signatures are required for any congressional candidate to appear on the primary ballot. The campaign received over 3,500 signatures, and he officially filed with the maximum of 2,000 Friday morning.

The effort followed a technical issue with a previous set of unfiled petitions, all over the prefix “Dr.”

Although “Dr.” is clearly not allowed on the ballot or the affidavit of identity, no law or statute prohibits it on the petition, according to his campaign.

“The campaign got word that we would be challenged on our petitions,” Lorinser said in a statement. “With no desire to litigate the issue, we recirculated new petitions and successfully recaptured over 3,500 internally validated signatures in just a few weeks. The mobilization was an extraordinary and unprecedented effort by everyone involved.”

Volunteers helped the campaign accomplish the goal by hosting over 30 petition outlets, a dozen pop-up events, several drive-through signings and hundreds of people canvassing door to door to meet with voters, his campaign said.

“The people decide elections, and the people deserve the opportunity to vote for the better candidate,” Lorinser said. “Voters in this district are tired of being discounted. Using a technicality to block a candidate from the ballot shows fear and weakness and would’ve been a disservice to democracy.

“We weren’t going to take any chances.”

Lorinser says he’s excited to be officially filed as a primary candidate and eager to take on incumbent Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, in the general election.

The primary is set for Aug. 2, with the general election on Nov. 8.

The Board of Canvassers will make the final determinations of the ballots on May 26, he said.

“Overcoming the technicality was a distraction,” Lorinser said. “But the effort proved our campaign is a threat, our volunteers and staff are remarkably capable, and we can win in August and November. I feel energized. I wasn’t going to let anyone or anything keep me off that ballot. This election is too important.

“It’s time to get back to the issues. I am officially challenging Jack Bergman to a televised debate. Voters need to hear from both of us, side by side, and decide who is the best candidate for the job. Especially after this outpouring of support, I’m confident I can earn the votes necessary to serve the people.”

Lorinser is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.