FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
January 9, 2024
Contact: Denzel McCampbell, (313) 400-0298, denzel@progressmichigan.org
Three Years After January 6 Insurrection, Accountability for Michigan Officials Still Needed
Many involved in the attempt to overturn the 2020 election still hold positions of power
LANSING, Mich. –– It’s been three years since the violent insurrection at our nation’s Capitol, and while some progress has been made to hold those who participated in the violence accountable, more must be done. In Michigan, we must continue working to hold those in power accountable for how they conspired behind the scenes to try to overturn the 2020 election.
“While the violence at the Capitol on January 6 captures most of the conversation surrounding this terrible anniversary, we can’t forget all the ways Trump and his MAGA Republican allies quietly worked to overturn the will of voters, especially here in Michigan,” said Sam Inglot, executive director of Progress Michigan. “While some, such as the false electors, are being held accountable for their actions, many continue to not only hold power in our state but also continue to use their platforms to spread the Big Lie in an effort to restrict our access to the ballot.”
The list below includes some, although certainly not all, of the people who participated in quietly attempting to overturn the 2020 election or sow doubt about our election processes, and still hold positions of power. They include:
- More than a dozen current Republican state lawmakers make up Michigan’s Insurrection Caucus:
- Senators Joe Bellino, Jon Bumstead, Michele Hoitenga, Rick Outman, and Roger Victory.
- Representatives Ken Borton, Steve Carra, Neil Friske, Matt Maddock, Greg Markkanen, Luke Meerman, Angela Rigas, Brad Paquette, and Doug Wozniak.
- Ronna McDaniel, Chairwoman of the Republican Party
- Participated in a call with President Trump to the Republican Wayne County Canvassers and pressured them to not certify the 2020 election.
- Kristina Karamo, Chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party
- Got her start in politics during 2020 as a poll challenger in Detroit where she claims she witnessed illegal vote counting.
- Continues to spread baseless lies about our elections.
- Doug Ringler, Michigan Auditor General
- From 2019 to 2021 (under a Republican-led legislature) he conducted more election audits than normal despite not finding any evidence of fraud.
- During the 2020 election audit the Office of the Auditor General even overstepped the office’s legal authority, according to Attorney General Dana Nessel, by actually going into local jurisdictions and auditing their processes.
“We’ve undoubtedly made progress in the last three years in holding those involved in trying to overturn the will of voters in 2020 accountable,” continued Inglot. “But it’s clear we still have a long way to go in ensuring those who willfully spread lies and took actions to overturn the 2020 election see consequences for their actions. We must reject any and all attacks on our freedom to choose our own leaders, whether that be the violence on January 6 or the quiet attacks perpetrated behind the scenes.”
###