Michigan GOP Lawmaker Calls for Prosecution of Secretary of State Benson Over 2020 Election
Michigan.gov
A Republican state lawmaker in Michigan, Matt Maddock, has called for Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to be prosecuted, citing alleged violations of election laws in 2020. Maddock made the claim in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Benson will be prosecuted and convicted for the 20 election laws she broke in 2020.”
Maddock, a member of the Michigan Freedom Caucus and a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, did not specify which laws Benson allegedly broke. His post followed a Michigan Supreme Court ruling that upheld Benson’s decision to keep independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the ballot, despite his attempt to remove his name.
Kennedy, who has promoted conspiracy theories, ended his campaign recently and endorsed Trump. Some Republican donors had backed his run, hoping he would divert votes from Democrats, but polls have been unclear about whether he would have harmed Democrats or Republicans more. Maddock’s call for prosecution is notable given his personal connections to election controversies, reported NBC News.
His wife, Meshawn Maddock, a former Michigan Republican Party chair, is facing charges as a “fake elector” in connection with efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Benson, Michigan’s Secretary of State since 2018, has been a frequent target of criticism from Trump and his supporters due to her role in overseeing the state’s elections.
In 2022, Benson claimed that during a White House meeting, Trump privately suggested that she be arrested for treason and executed. However, a spokesman for Trump denied the allegation and accused Benson of fabricating the story.
The post by Maddock is the latest example of ongoing tensions and accusations related to the 2020 election, with many of Trump’s supporters continuing to push baseless claims of widespread voter fraud. Benson, a frequent defender of election integrity, has repeatedly dismissed such claims and worked to ensure secure and fair elections in Michigan.
