Michigan Political Tensions: An Ongoing Clash Over Election Materials
The ongoing dispute between Michigan’s state House Republicans and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson continues to escalate, with no resolution in sight. A recent move by the House GOP to adopt a resolution holding Benson in contempt has intensified the situation, as she allegedly failed to provide requested election-related materials. Benson, a Democrat with gubernatorial ambitions, remains unyielding in her stance.
The resolution itself lacks enforcement power, meaning any significant action would require a court to enforce the subpoena linked to the contempt resolution. Benson has suggested mediation with a neutral party, such as a retired judge, to determine which materials should be shared with lawmakers. However, House Oversight Committee Chair Jay DeBoyer has rejected this proposal.
DeBoyer articulated his position clearly: “I’d like you to find me that in the Constitution or in statute that an arbitrator is the go-between between the legislative branch and the secretary of state branch. It doesn’t exist. It is a talking point to try to misdirect.” He insists that Benson must not selectively withhold information from legislators overseeing election processes. He has proposed a private meeting to negotiate terms, which he claims Benson has ignored.
Benson, on the other hand, argues that her office has already disclosed over 3,300 pages of documentation to the committee and the public. She maintains that further unvetted and unredacted releases could jeopardize election security. “You cannot bully me or abuse your authority to get access to information that if it ends up in the wrong hands could be used to interfere with the chain of custody of ballots, tamper with election equipment or impersonate a clerk on election day,” she stated during a Zoom press conference.
As Benson campaigns for governor in a highly competitive Democratic primary, her confrontation with GOP lawmakers over election security could bolster her support among Democratic voters. Meanwhile, for Republicans, challenging a leading Democratic figure is politically advantageous. The Republican-controlled House stands as the GOP’s only stronghold in Lansing, with Democrats holding other key state offices.
The possibility of court intervention looms, as the conflict may ultimately require judicial resolution, potentially reaching the Michigan Supreme Court. For more insights on Benson’s political week, tune into the latest episode of the It’s Just Politics podcast.
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Have questions about Michigan politics? We welcome your feedback and questions about the content of this newsletter. Reach out to us at politics@michiganpublic.org!
Additional Political Discussions
Earmark Lawsuit: The Mackinac Center has initiated legal action against the state, challenging the legislative practice of earmark spending. This practice has been critiqued for circumventing the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority approval for funding specific projects. If successful, the lawsuit could significantly alter legislative budget negotiations.
Governor Whitmer’s Vice Presidential Candidacy: New revelations from the book Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson shed light on the close consideration Governor Gretchen Whitmer received as a potential vice-presidential pick for Joe Biden in 2020. The book highlights Whitmer’s appeal to Biden as a representative of the Democratic working-class ethos.
Mackinac Policy Conference 2025: Next week, the Mackinac Policy Conference will gather over 1,500 influential figures from various sectors on Mackinac Island. This annual event is a focal point for Michigan’s political and economic discussions, drawing leaders from business, government, and non-profit organizations to collaborate and discuss vital state issues.
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Yours in political nerdiness,
Rick Pluta & Zoe Clark
Co-hosts, It’s Just Politics
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