Straw Poll Winner: Amanda Love Takes 54% in Sold-Out GOP SOS Debate; Monica Yatooma 46%; Anthony Forlini Absent (0%)
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
The elephant not in the room loomed large
By Kristine Christlieb, MFEI News & Commentary Editor
February 2, 2026
Michiganders braved sub-zero wind chills on Saturday, January 31, to fill Rochester Christian Church for a sold-out GOP Secretary of State debate.
Over 350 attendees — and thousands more via livestream on X, Rumble, YouTube and Facebook — watched Amanda Love edge out Monica Yatooma in the post-debate straw poll, 54% to 46% (122 marbles to 104). The third candidate, Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Anthony Forlini, declined to participate due to scheduling conflicts; his absence noted on a number of occasions.
Organized by the Michigan 9th Congressional District Republican Committee, the debate was moderated by veteran war correspondent and investigative journalist Lara Logan along with special guest co-moderators — well-known political analyst Seth Keshel and Dr. John Eastman, former attorney for President Trump.
Importance of candidate debate
In her opening remarks, Logan summed up the importance of the event. “I’m sure none of us can imagine this many people engaged in a secretary of state race twenty years ago. Twenty years ago, most of us didn’t know there was a secretary of state or have any idea what they did — let’s be honest. And then something happened that shocked us all into consciousness.”
For many in the room, the results of the 2020 and Jocelyn Benson’s administration of Michigan’s Department of State — specifically, her administration of the state’s elections — switched on their political awareness.
In a recent post on Substack, Keshel called Benson, “one of the most nefarious office holders anywhere in America.” He wrote, “She flies under the radar as Michigan’s Secretary of State, but under her watch, Michigan’s elections have become a first-rate disaster.”
Lori Skibo, Chair of the Michigan GOP 9th Congressional District, explained the importance of the debate and emphasized to attendees that Republican precinct delegates are responsible for selecting the next secretary of state candidate. That responsibility does not rest “with the media, with outside organizations, or with special interests.” She went on to tell attendees, “Delegates carry a serious responsibility to be informed, engaged, and thoughtful.”
The elephant not in the room
Conspicuously absent from the debate stage was Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini, the only other declared GOP candidate for Secretary of State.
In a text message to MFEI News & Commentary, Skibo explained that as early as November 6, she had asked Forlini to reserve January 31 as a potential debate date. On December 29, she spoke with him by phone for 51 minutes.
According to Skibo,“Tony did not express any pushback or concerns during the call. He did indicate he needed to check with Scott [Greenlee], his campaign manager. Overall, the call was smooth, with no indication of hostility.”
Over the following two weeks, Skibo exchanged emails with Greenlee in an effort to secure a signed contract. Greenlee provided a headshot but never returned the agreement, citing unspecified questions without details.
On January 14, Greenlee finally emailed: “Apologies but when Tony and I started to go over the formatting of your event, I recognized I made an error and we are completely booked that day on the west side of Michigan.”
Skibo responded with a pointed written statement:
Leadership means showing up — especially when the questions are tough.
Debates exist so candidates can be tested, challenged, and held accountable by those entrusted with choosing our nominee.
There are only 2,200 delegates who will cast a ballot to determine the Republican nominee for the 2026 general election. That is an immense responsibility, and it deserves candidates who are willing to stand before those delegates, defend their record, and make their case directly.
Declining that opportunity denies delegates the full vetting process they—and the voters—deserve.
Skibo emphasized that Saturday’s event was the only formal GOP Secretary of State candidate debate to date —“There have been candidate forums where the candidates make presentations, but no other formal debate.”
Forlini’s absence drew repeated mention throughout the program. Early on, Seth Keshel told the audience, “There’s a third candidate in this race. And I think you all ought to make it very clear that you wanted his answers.”
YouTube commenter monicavancamp1104 echoed the sentiment: “Wish the 3rd candidate would have shown up. It's a very important debate and a very important decision for us precinct delegates to make.”
In an effort to support the event, Forlini offered to contribute $500.
The candidates had their say and attendees had theirs
Yatooma had an early misstep when she described Love’s former position in the Secretary of State’s office. She told the audience, “When she [Love] worked for Terri Lynn Land, she was her driver and at times she would assist.”
Logan gave Love an extra 30 seconds to respond, “because there were allegations directed against you [Love] personally.”
In a telephone interview, one attendee told this reporter: “Love seemed to have more specifics. She seemed better prepared.”
Nevertheless, this same respondent said she was supporting Yatooma. “I’m looking for more of a bulldog, someone who is willing to make tough choices.”
In the end, 122 attendees placed their marbles in the Amanda Love jar and 104 attendees used their marbles to support Yatooma.
