The Michigan GOP alleges Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson violated state campaign finance law when she used a state-owned building as part of her newly launched campaign for governor.
The complaint filed Monday stems from how Benson rolled out her announcement last week as a Democratic candidate in the 2026 governor’s race.
Benson announced her candidacy on social media early Wednesday, Jan. 22. Her team then invited reporters to the Richard H. Austin Office Building in Lansing to watch her file candidate paperwork and answer questions about her campaign.
Related: Jocelyn Benson announces run for Michigan governor
Michigan campaign finance law prohibits using public resources for political campaign activities. Michigan GOP officials say Benson using the state-owned building in her campaign rollout is a “clear violation” of that law.
Benson’s office is headquartered at the Richard H. Austin Office Building. Michigan Republican Party officials claim the building isn’t a public space open to all.
A spokesperson for Benson’s campaign could not immediately be reached.
“We call on the Bureau of Elections to take this complaint seriously and to hold Jocelyn Benson accountable for her flagrant abuses of the public’s trust,” said Tyler Henningsen, political director of the Michigan Republican Party. “We also request that the Bureau of Elections enjoin Secretary Benson and her campaign from future violations and fine them the maximum amount permitted by law.
“The integrity of our public office holders must be maintained, and the misuse of taxpayer-funded resources for personal political gain will not be tolerated.”
As the secretary of state, Benson oversees the Bureau of Elections, which investigates state campaign finance law complaints like the one against her.
However, campaign finance complaints that pertain to Benson’s campaign will be referred to Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office to investigate and resolve, according to a State Department spokesperson.
A person who knowingly uses public resources for political campaign activities could face a misdemeanor charge of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Benson is the only major Democratic candidate to announce a bid for governor next year. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and unable to seek reelection.
Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, is running for governor as a Republican. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a longtime Democrat, is running as an independent.
