Michigan GOP lawmakers allege conflict with Benson, push DOJ to police 2026 elections
Aric Nesbitt, the minority leader of the Democratic-led Michigan Senate and a Republican candidate for governor, sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, asking the U.S. Department of Justice to deploy official election monitors and provide “comprehensive oversight” for the state’s primary and general election.
In his Thursday letter, the Porter Township Republican argued that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson held a conflict of interest in overseeing the election, as she is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.
“Benson will be administering an election in which she has a direct personal stake in the outcome,” Nesbitt wrote “Such a situation risks compromising the impartiality required for fair election oversight and demands external federal scrutiny to maintain public trust.”
Benson, who was elected to her first term as secretary of state in 2018, administered the 2022 election, in which she prevailed over Republican Kristina Karamo, who would go on to serve as chair of the Michigan Republican Party.
https://michiganadvance.com/2025/11/13/michigan-gop-lawmakers-allege-conflict-with-benson-push-doj-to-police-2026-elections/