A group of Republicans asking the U.S. Department of Justice to oversee the 2026 elections in battleground Michigan alleges that Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's gubernatorial campaign conflicts with her current role despite previous secretaries of state — including Benson — administering elections while also running for statewide office.
Senate Minority Leader and Republican candidate for governor Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township led the request for federal elections support in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Pondi Thursday, Nov. 13. The letter says Benson's gubernatorial bid while serving as secretary of state "creates an inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest" because Benson will help administer an election that will decide her political future.
"Such a situation risks

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