Michigan GOP releases emails showing Secretary of State Benson’s continued SPLC ties
Michigan House Republicans disclosed emails indicating Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson kept connections to the Southern Poverty Law Center after taking office.
House Republicans in Michigan obtained and publicized email correspondence from the Department of State that they say demonstrates Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s ongoing association with the Southern Poverty Law Center despite the organization’s recent federal indictment for fraud-related offenses. Committee chair Jay DeBoyer argued voters deserve answers about a public official linked to an entity accused of funneling millions to extremist groups.
The records include evidence of Benson attending an SPLC event in 2019 and staff messages discussing the indictment. Benson, a Democrat and gubernatorial candidate, served on the SPLC board from 2014 to 2018, overlapping the period cited in the charges. The SPLC denies wrongdoing. Republicans have pledged continued scrutiny but have not yet issued a subpoena, and Benson’s office declined comment.
Why it matters
Voters need to know whether a statewide official’s ties to a federally indicted group could influence her duties.
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