BENSON

LANSING — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, on Monday, found Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson violated the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA) when announcing her race for governor. This comes after several complaints were filed in regards to Benson, a Democrat, using the lobby of a public building in Lansing to tell reporters she had joined the gubernatorial race. The use of this building was a violation of the MCFA, as state employees are barred from using public resources for political campaign activities. Benson justified the use of the public building by claiming she didn’t want to ask reporters and other attendees to stand outside in below-zero temperatures during the conference.

According to the MCFA, “A public body or person acting for a public body shall not use or authorize the use of funds, personnel, office space, computer hardware or software, property, stationery, postage, vehicles, equipment, supplies, or other public resources to make a contribution or expenditure or provide volunteer personal services that are excluded from the definition of contribution under [MCL 169.204]”.

Benson’s campaign committee tried to argue that the limitation did not apply to Benson’s press conference because Benson was not a “person acting for a public body”, but instead was at the conference “in her personal capacity as a candidate for Governor.” However, the Attorney General’s office decided that a “reasonable person” being invited to the building for a press conference would not see Benson as a “third party” representing her own views.

At this time, the Attorney General cannot impose civil or criminal penalties against Benson. Joshua Booth, Chief of the Opinions Division of the Michigan Department of Attorney General, signed a Resolution Letter giving Benson and her committee a warning on Monday.

“Secretary Benson is hereby reminded that MCL 169.257 precludes the use of public resources, such as the Austin Building lobby, for campaign-related purposes, and warned that this letter may be used in a future proceeding as evidence of a knowing violation of the MCFA,” the letter reads.

“We understand the Attorney General is issuing a new interpretation of the law,” said Alyssa Bradley, the Communications Director for Benson’s campaign. “We look forward to continuing the conversation with Michiganders about Jocelyn Benson’s vision to make our state the best place to be a kid, raise a kid, and call home by lowering housing costs, making our schools among the best in the nation, and standing up for our rights and freedoms.”

When the MCFA is violated, the Secretary of State, a position currently held by Benson, can impose fines upon the individual in violation. The Secretary of State also has the power to investigate complaints and decide if there was a violation.

One of the three complainants, 21-year-old Christian Charette, ran for the Michigan House of Representatives in 2024 as a Republican, but was not successful. Charette also accused Benson of further violating the MCFA by holding “community conversations” before officially announcing her candidacy. This claim was dismissed.

Tyler Henningsen, another complainant, is the Deputy Campaign Manager for Mike Rogers, a Republican who is currently running for Senate. The third complaint came from Monica Ross-Williams, a Democrat who ran for Precinct Delegate in Washtenaw County in 2018, but was defeated.