Three/For/Three on 05/28/25
- May 28
- 5 min read
*What’s next after Benson contempt vote? *Benson’s Responses Analyzed *Aghogho’s Got Competition
By Kristine Christlieb, MFEI News & Commentary Editor
1. What’s the GOP’s next move after vote of SOS Benson contempt?
Representative Rachelle Smit is indicating the Michigan House of Representatives will soon be taking legal action against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
In a text message, Smit told Michigan Fair Elections Institute, “We’ll be taking her to court.” The Michigan House has not yet officially filed suit; but Smit says, “We have outside counsel taking it up.”
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Michigan House of Representatives voted in support of House Resolution 117 holding Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the Department of State “in civil contempt of the Michigan House of Representatives for their deliberate failure to comply with the House’s subpoenas.”
The resolution directed the House Office of Legal Counsel “to take steps necessary and proper to ensuring compliance with the House’s subpoenas, including the initiation of legal action.”
Benson has faced multiple lawsuits over election-related issues with the courts ruling against her seven times. These cases are often resolved within months, suggesting the courts fast-track cases involving public officials or election-related matters. This case has especially high public interest because it involves both a public official and elections.
A protracted lawsuit with a vote of House vote of contempt against her is a risky scenario for Benson. It would mean the story could stay unresolved and in the headlines for months while she is running for Michigan governor.
2. Benson’s responses to House Committee analyzed
In November 2024, State Representative Rachelle Smit, chair of the Michigan House Election Integrity Committee, requested election clerk training materials from the Michigan Department of State. After months of delay, incomplete copies of the materials eventually were provided. It was only after the Michigan House Oversight Committee was forced to issue a subpoena on April 15, 2025, concerns about “security” were raised.
Assuming those same security issues existed in November 2024, it is curious the Department of State did not raise them when the request was first made. Instead, Benson and the department of state pretended to comply and only at the eleventh hour raised what they claim is the very important issue of security. Benson’s delays and obfuscations cost taxpayers thousands of dollars and legislators’ critical time.
Notice also, Benson refused to negotiate with Republicans. DeBoyer and Smit offered to meet with Benson, but she refused. Keep in mind, Benson has never been a legislator. She has no experience talking to the opposing party “across the aisle.” And yet, remarkably, she believes as governor she can represent all Michiganders while also working with the state legislature.
3. Aghogho’s got competition
On January 22, 2025, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced her candidacy for Michigan governor. Less than a week later, Benson’s Deputy Secretary Aghogho Edevbie posted a YouTube video announcing his candidacy for the top job at the Department of State. The announcement came as no surprise. The two political activists have been working together in Michigan for years.
But then on May 21, 2025, Ingham County Clerk Barb Bynum threw her hat into the ring, announcing on X: https://x.com/BarbByrum/status/1925193881710154062
“As the Ingham County Clerk, I’ve been a fierce defender of what’s right for my entire 18-year career in public service — and I’m taking my passion for safe, secure, and accessible elections to the next level.”
She closes her campaign launch announcement (and perhaps shows her true colors) on X with an invitation to support her campaign with a contribution to disgraced, Democrat-controlled nonprofit, ActBlue.
Benson hasn’t endorsed either candidate.
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