by
Sec. of State Jocelyn Benson
The Michigan Attorney General's Office has concluded that Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson violated the state's campaign finance law by holding a press conference on Jan. 22 in the lobby of the state's Richard H. Austin Building to announce her run for governor, the Detroit Free Press reports.
The law prohibits the use of a government building or public resources for campaign purposes. No penalty will be imposed because the law excludes the Secretary of State.
"Such unequal treatment is something the Legislature may want to consider addressing," wrote Joshua Booth — Division Chief of the Opinions Division for the Michigan Department of Attorney General — in the May 19 letter finding that Benson violated the law, the Free Press reports.
Benson's campaign communications director, Alyssa Bradley, issued a statement: "We understand the Attorney General is issuing a new interpretation of the law. 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."
