On Thursday, a group of Republican lawmakers from Michigan sent letter to U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi, asking the Justice Department to send federal election observers to monitor Michigan's primary and general elections next year. The reason for the request, according to the letter, relates to a perceived conflict of interest surrounding Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is also running for governor in 2026.
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
Becker noted that Michigan's elections are among the most decentralized in the country and that the Secretary of State's Office does not actually administer elections, contrary to the letter's claims. Instead, the office simply supports the administration of elections as they are conducted by local election officials.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
“This happens all the time in the United States, and of course if there were some activity that was questionable, that would be separate,” Becker explained, “but the mere fact that someone is doing his job in the office that he holds while he is also running for office, because the election itself does not raise any questions.”
Becker noted that Michigan's elections are among the most decentralized in the country and that the Secretary of State's Office does not actually administer elections, contrary to the letter's claims. Instead, the office simply supports the administration of elections as they are conducted by local election officials.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
Benson is far from the only candidate for governor who is also the current Secretary of State. In Kansas, for example, Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab is also running for governor in next year's election. And in Georgia, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is also running for governor in 2026.
“This happens all the time in the United States, and of course if there were some activity that was questionable, that would be separate,” Becker explained, “but the mere fact that someone is doing his job in the office that he holds while he is also running for office, because the election itself does not raise any questions.”
Becker noted that Michigan's elections are among the most decentralized in the country and that the Secretary of State's Office does not actually administer elections, contrary to the letter's claims. Instead, the office simply supports the administration of elections as they are conducted by local election officials.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
The main signature on the letter came from one of Benson's potential opponents in the race for governor, state Senate Republican leader Aric Nesbitt.
Benson is far from the only candidate for governor who is also the current Secretary of State. In Kansas, for example, Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab is also running for governor in next year's election. And in Georgia, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is also running for governor in 2026.
“This happens all the time in the United States, and of course if there were some activity that was questionable, that would be separate,” Becker explained, “but the mere fact that someone is doing his job in the office that he holds while he is also running for office, because the election itself does not raise any questions.”
Becker noted that Michigan's elections are among the most decentralized in the country and that the Secretary of State's Office does not actually administer elections, contrary to the letter's claims. Instead, the office simply supports the administration of elections as they are conducted by local election officials.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
“Our concerns are focused on Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who, as the state’s chief elections official, will oversee the 2026 elections while also appearing on the ballot as a candidate for governor,” the Republican lawmakers said in the letter. “This creates an inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest because Secretary Benson will be administering an election in which she will have a direct interest in the outcome.”
The main signature on the letter came from one of Benson's potential opponents in the race for governor, state Senate Republican leader Aric Nesbitt.
Benson is far from the only candidate for governor who is also the current Secretary of State. In Kansas, for example, Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab is also running for governor in next year's election. And in Georgia, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is also running for governor in 2026.
“This happens all the time in the United States, and of course if there were some activity that was questionable, that would be separate,” Becker explained, “but the mere fact that someone is doing his job in the office that he holds while he is also running for office, because the election itself does not raise any questions.”
Becker noted that Michigan's elections are among the most decentralized in the country and that the Secretary of State's Office does not actually administer elections, contrary to the letter's claims. Instead, the office simply supports the administration of elections as they are conducted by local election officials.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
Top state election officials often run for re-election or other statewide offices without the kind of federal intervention sought by Michigan Republicans. Still, Republican lawmakers called the situation an unprecedented conflict.
“Our concerns are focused on Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who, as the state’s chief elections official, will oversee the 2026 elections while also appearing on the ballot as a candidate for governor,” the Republican lawmakers said in the letter. “This creates an inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest because Secretary Benson will be administering an election in which she will have a direct interest in the outcome.”
The main signature on the letter came from one of Benson's potential opponents in the race for governor, state Senate Republican leader Aric Nesbitt.
Benson is far from the only candidate for governor who is also the current Secretary of State. In Kansas, for example, Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab is also running for governor in next year's election. And in Georgia, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is also running for governor in 2026.
“This happens all the time in the United States, and of course if there were some activity that was questionable, that would be separate,” Becker explained, “but the mere fact that someone is doing his job in the office that he holds while he is also running for office, because the election itself does not raise any questions.”
Becker noted that Michigan's elections are among the most decentralized in the country and that the Secretary of State's Office does not actually administer elections, contrary to the letter's claims. Instead, the office simply supports the administration of elections as they are conducted by local election officials.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
The Justice Department declined to comment.
Top state election officials often run for re-election or other statewide offices without the kind of federal intervention sought by Michigan Republicans. Still, Republican lawmakers called the situation an unprecedented conflict.
“Our concerns are focused on Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who, as the state’s chief elections official, will oversee the 2026 elections while also appearing on the ballot as a candidate for governor,” the Republican lawmakers said in the letter. “This creates an inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest because Secretary Benson will be administering an election in which she will have a direct interest in the outcome.”
The main signature on the letter came from one of Benson's potential opponents in the race for governor, state Senate Republican leader Aric Nesbitt.
Benson is far from the only candidate for governor who is also the current Secretary of State. In Kansas, for example, Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab is also running for governor in next year's election. And in Georgia, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is also running for governor in 2026.
“This happens all the time in the United States, and of course if there were some activity that was questionable, that would be separate,” Becker explained, “but the mere fact that someone is doing his job in the office that he holds while he is also running for office, because the election itself does not raise any questions.”
Becker noted that Michigan's elections are among the most decentralized in the country and that the Secretary of State's Office does not actually administer elections, contrary to the letter's claims. Instead, the office simply supports the administration of elections as they are conducted by local election officials.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
“I don’t recall there being a request to observe the election in the next few months or even a year before the election,” David Becker, a former Justice Department lawyer and executive director and founder of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research, told TPM. “I have not read a single statement in this letter that supports any justification for having monitors.”
The Justice Department declined to comment.
Top state election officials often run for re-election or other statewide offices without the kind of federal intervention sought by Michigan Republicans. Still, Republican lawmakers called the situation an unprecedented conflict.
“Our concerns are focused on Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who, as the state’s chief elections official, will oversee the 2026 elections while also appearing on the ballot as a candidate for governor,” the Republican lawmakers said in the letter. “This creates an inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest because Secretary Benson will be administering an election in which she will have a direct interest in the outcome.”
The main signature on the letter came from one of Benson's potential opponents in the race for governor, state Senate Republican leader Aric Nesbitt.
Benson is far from the only candidate for governor who is also the current Secretary of State. In Kansas, for example, Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab is also running for governor in next year's election. And in Georgia, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is also running for governor in 2026.
“This happens all the time in the United States, and of course if there were some activity that was questionable, that would be separate,” Becker explained, “but the mere fact that someone is doing his job in the office that he holds while he is also running for office, because the election itself does not raise any questions.”
Becker noted that Michigan's elections are among the most decentralized in the country and that the Secretary of State's Office does not actually administer elections, contrary to the letter's claims. Instead, the office simply supports the administration of elections as they are conducted by local election officials.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
The request, election experts emphasized to TPM, is both extremely atypical and has no real justification.
“I don’t recall there being a request to observe the election in the next few months or even a year before the election,” David Becker, a former Justice Department lawyer and executive director and founder of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research, told TPM. “I have not read a single statement in this letter that supports any justification for having monitors.”
The Justice Department declined to comment.
Top state election officials often run for re-election or other statewide offices without the kind of federal intervention sought by Michigan Republicans. Still, Republican lawmakers called the situation an unprecedented conflict.
“Our concerns are focused on Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who, as the state’s chief elections official, will oversee the 2026 elections while also appearing on the ballot as a candidate for governor,” the Republican lawmakers said in the letter. “This creates an inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest because Secretary Benson will be administering an election in which she will have a direct interest in the outcome.”
The main signature on the letter came from one of Benson's potential opponents in the race for governor, state Senate Republican leader Aric Nesbitt.
Benson is far from the only candidate for governor who is also the current Secretary of State. In Kansas, for example, Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab is also running for governor in next year's election. And in Georgia, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is also running for governor in 2026.
“This happens all the time in the United States, and of course if there were some activity that was questionable, that would be separate,” Becker explained, “but the mere fact that someone is doing his job in the office that he holds while he is also running for office, because the election itself does not raise any questions.”
Becker noted that Michigan's elections are among the most decentralized in the country and that the Secretary of State's Office does not actually administer elections, contrary to the letter's claims. Instead, the office simply supports the administration of elections as they are conducted by local election officials.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
The request, election experts emphasized to TPM, is both extremely atypical and has no real justification.
“I don’t recall there being a request to observe the election in the next few months or even a year before the election,” David Becker, a former Justice Department lawyer and executive director and founder of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research, told TPM. “I have not read a single statement in this letter that supports any justification for having monitors.”
The Justice Department declined to comment.
Top state election officials often run for re-election or other statewide offices without the kind of federal intervention sought by Michigan Republicans. Still, Republican lawmakers called the situation an unprecedented conflict.
“Our concerns are focused on Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who, as the state’s chief elections official, will oversee the 2026 elections while also appearing on the ballot as a candidate for governor,” the Republican lawmakers said in the letter. “This creates an inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest because Secretary Benson will be administering an election in which she will have a direct interest in the outcome.”
The main signature on the letter came from one of Benson's potential opponents in the race for governor, state Senate Republican leader Aric Nesbitt.
Benson is far from the only candidate for governor who is also the current Secretary of State. In Kansas, for example, Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab is also running for governor in next year's election. And in Georgia, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is also running for governor in 2026.
“This happens all the time in the United States, and of course if there were some activity that was questionable, that would be separate,” Becker explained, “but the mere fact that someone is doing his job in the office that he holds while he is also running for office, because the election itself does not raise any questions.”
Becker noted that Michigan's elections are among the most decentralized in the country and that the Secretary of State's Office does not actually administer elections, contrary to the letter's claims. Instead, the office simply supports the administration of elections as they are conducted by local election officials.
In a statement to TPM, Angela Benander, communications director for the Michigan Department of State, characterized these GOP lawmakers as using “dangerous, false rhetoric to encourage President Trump to unlawfully interfere with our state's ability to conduct fair and free elections.”
“They join the administration’s ongoing efforts to create crises to justify continued federal intervention that threatens the privacy, security and freedoms of our citizens,” she added.
The letter also specifically asks the Justice Department to provide election observers to “ensure comprehensive oversight.” There is no provision in federal law that allows the federal government to take full oversight of state elections, Becker added.
Bondi's request comes as the Justice Department sent federal observers to polling places in New Jersey and California earlier this month. Experts previously noted for TPM that, as with this latest request in Michigan, it remains unclear what federal law the Justice Department was allegedly enforcing by sending federal election observers to New Jersey and California.
