LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s gubernatorial campaign is off to a frosty start – both literally and politically.
After announcing her candidacy in the cozy lobby of the Richard H. Austin Building which houses the Secretary of State’s office, Benson now finds herself at the center of a campaign finance complaint filed by the Michigan Republican Party.
The complaint.
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Tyler Henningsen, political director for the MIGOP, has filed a complaint against Benson alleging a violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. In his complaint, he states, “On January 22, 2025, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson used the Secretary of State’s office, located in the Richard H. Austin Building, to host a campaign event. Specifically, the event was a campaign press conference announcing Benson’s candidacy for governor.”
Henningsen goes on to say that Michigan law expressly prohibits government officials from using public resources for political campaign purposes, including funds, personnel, office space or other public resources. He even cites the words on it being illegal by former Democrat party Chair Mark Brewer.
What’s next?
In a press release Henningsen says, “We call on the Bureau of Elections to take this complaint seriously and to hold Jocelyn Benson accountable for her flagrant abuses of the public’s trust. We also request that the Bureau of Elections enjoin Secretary Benson and her campaign from future violations and fine them the maximum amount permitted by law.”
Henningsen continues, ”The integrity of our public office holders must be maintained, and the misuse of taxpayer-funded resources for personal political gain will not be tolerated.”
A statement from the Benson campaign.
Benson’s campaign spokesperson Alyssa Bradley said about the issue in a written statement, “The lobby space used is a public space where First Amendment activity can occur as long as it doesn’t interfere with the operation of the building.”
The complaint, which was received by the Bureau of Elections, will be forwarded to the Michigan Department of Attorney General, where Benson’s Democratic ally, Dana Nessel, will have the final say on the issue.
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