Ann Arbor bar files suit to display campaign signs

ANN ARBOR (AP) -- An Ann Arbor bar that wants to keep U.S. Rep. John Dingell in office is challenging a state rule that prohibits candidate signs in businesses that serve alcohol. The owner of the Aut Bar says it's a violation of the First Amendment. A lawsuit was filed last Thursday in Detroit federal court against officials at the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The bar wants to post signs for the Democratic congressman from Dearborn and for Washtenaw County judge candidate Carol Kuhnke. State rules let bars post signs on other issues, such as war, health care, abortion or even some of the six questions on Michigan's fall ballot. But candidate signs are prohibited. The rule goes back decades. Liquor commission spokeswoman Andrea Miller says the rationale for it is unclear. Published: Mon, Oct 22, 2012