They cited Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s “inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest,” as she will be both the state’s chief elections official and also on the ballot for governor.

“This creates an inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest, as Secretary Benson will be administering an election in which she has a direct personal stake in the outcome,” the letter said. “Such a situation risks compromising the impartiality required for fair election oversight and demands external federal scrutiny to maintain public trust.”

Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) was one of the legislators who signed on to the letter. Nesbitt, who will also appear on the 2026 ballot as a gubernatorial candidate, cited Republicans’ ongoing concerns about Benson’s “repeated violations of election laws.”

“This is an unprecedented moment for Michigan,” Nesbitt told The Center Square in an exclusive interview. “No previous secretary of state has ever refused to provide election records to the DOJ, refused to remove deceased voters from the rolls, permitted non-citizens to vote, hosted campaign events in a state office building, or had a judge say they ‘manipulated’ a presidential ballot.”

Currently, Benson is embroiled in a number of controversies. Just this year, she has faced impeachment, subpoenas, and legal actions, all previously reported on by The Center Square.

The Democrat has defended her decisions as ones that protect voters and preserve election integrity in Michigan. She also responded to the Republicans’ letter.

“Our elections are some of the safest and most secure in the country because the clerks, poll workers, and volunteers—who represent the entire political spectrum—ensure the voices and the votes of the people are heard and upheld,” Benson said in a statement on social media. “Suggesting anything else is a reckless attempt to distract from the real issues facing people of Michigan: making sure they can afford to live and thrive in Michigan.”

Nesbitt said, if that is true, then Benson should have no problem with the DOJ oversight of the 2026 election.

“Secretary Benson has repeatedly shown she will abuse her office for political gain when given the opportunity,” he told The Center Square. “If our elections are truly as ‘safe and secure’ as she claims, she should welcome DOJ oversight to ensure she follows the law.”

State Democrats have stood by Benson through the controversies, which Republicans said in their letter include nearly 70 “election-related lawsuits.” Democrats have accused Republicans of “abuse of power” for attempting to impeach Benson, arguing she has “faithfully served Michiganders and our democracy.”

Patrice Johnson, a chairperson at Pure Integrity Michigan Elections, released a statement that dug into the letter and Benson’s “pattern of violations” since she was first elected in 2018. Johnson pointed out that this will be the first instance of a current Michigan Secretary of State running for governor.

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Federal election oversight would not be unprecedented, as Republicans have pointed out.

“The DOJ already monitors elections in other states to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws,” State Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) told the Michigan Fair Elections Institute. “Given Secretary Benson’s record and her unprecedented conflict of interest, Michigan clearly qualifies for such oversight. We’re simply asking for the same standard to be applied here.”