Latest news with #JocelynBenson
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
No party, lots of cash: Duggan raises big dollars in run for governor
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's unprecedented independent bid to serve as Michigan's next governor has amassed over $3.2 million so far this year, making him financially competitive with major party candidates in the early days of the race to replace Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Duggan was the first major candidate to enter his name in the governor's race, and he shook up the traditionally red-blue affair with an announcement that sent shock waves through Michigan politics, abandoning his longtime affiliation with the Democratic Party to run as an independent. Michigan has never had an independent governor or a serious independent candidate for the office. Duggan has argued that he can break the logjam in Lansing and coalesce lawmakers across party lines to achieve shared policy goals. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, has brought in the biggest haul in the race so far with $3.5 million flowing into her campaign coffers since she launched her gubernatorial bid, a sum that includes over $1.1 million that she transferred from her Secretary of State campaign committee. The latest campaign finance reports cover candidates' fundraising so far in 2025 through July 20. On the Republican side of the race, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township and U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township were neck and neck with each raising almost $2.3 million and Nesbitt having a slight edge over James. James' campaign has celebrated additional support from Mission Michigan, a pro-James PAC backed by the DeVos family. Whitmer cannot run again due to term limits. Voters will have to wait more than a year before they can weigh in on who should succeed her, but the fundraising contest is already off to the races. Duggan has almost as much cash as Benson, eyes national support Entering the race early gave Duggan a longer runway to start raising money before his competitors. But first, he said he had to overcome some challenges. "We didn't have a portal to accept donations because of course we couldn't use ActBlue," he said, referencing the Democratic fundraising platform. "We didn't have a statewide donor list." "The first three months or so was really just replicating the infrastructure that the candidates out of the parties had," he said. Duggan touted how many of his donations came from Michigan. But he also has his eye on luring dollars nationally. "I have to get better at raising nationally," Duggan said. He said "massive national money is going to pour" into the Democratic and Republican campaigns once voters pick their nominees in the August 2026 primary. But he said his latest fundraising numbers should catch the attention of those outside Michigan. Some of Duggan's biggest contributions came from the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters' PAC, which gave $40,000. and Rocket State PAC, which is affiliated with the Rocket Companies. Benson outraises Democratic opponents Benson's campaign has compared her $3.5 million haul to the $1.5 million Whitmer raised during the same period in her 2018 run — Michigan's last open race for governor. "The numbers make it clear: Jocelyn Benson is the best candidate to take on any candidate, Republican or Independent, in November 2026," said Benson Campaign Manager Nikki Goldschein in a statement. Benson has over $2.4 million cash on hand, the most of any candidate, with Duggan not far behind at over $2.3 million. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson has raised over $1 million so far, and his campaign has over $468,000 cash on hand. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II's campaign has brought in more than $750,000 and has over $312,000 cash on hand. Michigan Politics: Mediation ordered in Michigan House lawsuit against Secretary of State Benson on subpoenas Nesbitt leads the GOP pack Benson wasn't the only candidate to give her campaign for governor a boost from previous runs. A chunk of the $2.3 million Nesbitt's campaign brought in — about $114,000 — came from his own state Senate campaign. Another roughly $250,000 came from PACs tied to him. "I'm incredibly humbled by the overwhelming support we've seen since announcing our campaign in January," Nesbitt said in a statement, adding that "these past few months have shown they're looking for bold, conservative leadership to put Michigan First in 2026." A third of the nearly $2.3 million James brought into his campaign came from his congressional campaign committee. Nesbitt has over $1.9 million cash on hand, and James has over $1.8 million cash on hand. Former Attorney General Mike Cox also has more than $1.8 million cash on hand and reported bringing in almost $1.4 million in 2025. Cox lent his own campaign $1.42 million last year and gave himself another $500,000 loan in July. Former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard's, R-DeWitt, campaign brought in over $646,000 and has over $609,000 cash on hand. The vast majority of his haul — almost $463,000 — came from his attorney general campaign committee. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Duggan's unique run for governor comes with considerable cash
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mediation ordered in Michigan House lawsuit against Secretary of State Benson on subpoenas
A Michigan Court of Claims judge ordered mediation in the lawsuit the Michigan House filed against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson over subpoenas to obtain training materials for election administrators, the release of which Benson fears could compromise election security. Benson has provided some of the material sought by the Republican-led Michigan House Oversight Committee but has expressed concerns that some of the information requested could end up in the wrong hands. The Michigan House filed its lawsuit against Benson in June, arguing that they have a right to review the material to ensure that election officials receive proper training that complies with Michigan election law. Michigan Court of Claims Judge Sima Patel on July 25 ordered the parties in the case to appear for mediation with Court of Claims Judge James Robert Redford, requiring Benson and House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland, to attend unless they have a valid excuse. The order followed a July 22 hearing during which Patel made the ruling from the bench. Two weeks before the mediation conference, the parties in the case must list the remaining materials subpoenaed that the Secretary of State's office hasn't delivered with a description of each. Michigan Politics: President Donald Trump endorses Mike Rogers in Michigan U.S. Senate race Benson said during a May news conference before the lawsuit was filed that she welcomed going to court over the fight with the Michigan House for election training materials and previously proposed having a third-party mediator from the judicial branch join a meeting with House legal counsel. She said handing over some of the information sought by lawmakers could make Michigan elections vulnerable to attacks such as an effort to tamper with equipment or impersonate an election official. Michigan House Oversight Chair Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township, has characterized the lawsuit as a way to hold Benson accountable and ensure government transparency. Michigan House Election Integrity Committee Chair Rep. Rachelle Smit, R-Martin, has said that lawmakers want to review the training materials following new election administration procedures. In recent elections, Michigan voters have given every voter the right to vote by an absentee ballot and established a new early voting system. "With how much has changed in state election law over the last few years, our legislators need to review those materials and ensure there aren't any holes or confusion in the training process," Smit wrote in a March statement. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mediation ordered in Michigan fight over election training materials
The Hill
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Benson raises over $3.5M in Michigan governor's bid
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's (D) gubernatorial campaign said it has raised over $3.5 million since its launch in January, according to figures first shared with The Hill on Thursday. Benson's campaign reported receiving over 27,000 individual contributions from the state's 83 counties during the period, with over 95 percent of them under $100. According to her campaign, Benson has over $2.4 million cash-on-hand. The fundraising haul is more than double the $1.5 million Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), raised at this point in 2017 after announcing her first gubernatorial bid in January of that year. The haul also puts Benson ahead of her opponents in the state's Democratic gubernatorial primary. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist's (D) campaign said he raised over $750,000, while former Genesee County, Mich. Sheriff Chris Swanson (D) said his campaign has raised over $1 million. Gilchrist jumped into the primary in March, while Swanson announced his bid in February. 'The numbers make it clear: Jocelyn Benson is the best person to take on any candidate, Republican or Independent, in November 2026,' Benson's campaign manager Nikki Goldschein said in a statement. 'This record-breaking haul not only showcases the strength of this campaign, it tells the story of the movement we are building.' A poll commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber and released in May showed Benson leading the Democratic primary field with 59.3 percent support from registered Democratic voters. Gilchrist and Swanson trailed at 6.9 percent and 8.1 percent respective. Nearly 26 percent of registered Democrats said they were undecided. 2024 Election Coverage Republicans are also facing a crowded gubernatorial primary in the state. Rep. John James (R-Mich.), state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R ), former state House Speaker Tom Leonard (R ), and former state Attorney General Mike Cox (R ) are vying for the party's nomination. Cox, who jumped into the race in April, said his campaign has raised $2.4 million and has $1.9 million in the bank. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced earlier this year that he is running for governor as an Independent. Michigan's governor's race is slated to be one of the most competitive races in 2026. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a 'toss-up.'
Al Arabiya
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Trump supporter charged with making threats against US lawmaker
US federal authorities have arrested a man accused of sending dozens of threatening and violent messages to public officials he viewed as hostile to President Donald Trump's agenda, charging him with threatening a member of Congress. Geoffrey Giglio, a Trump supporter who has previously been questioned by at least four federal law enforcement agencies over similar conduct, was charged this week with threatening a member of US Congress, transmitting interstate threats and making anonymous harassing communications, according to a federal complaint. The charges stem from violent and profane messages Giglio allegedly left for US Representative Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat and frequent Trump critic. According to the complaint, Giglio left a voicemail for Swalwell in March warning, 'If you want to keep fighting, then we will come get you.' He referenced a .308 caliber rifle, saying, 'I'll just set up behind my .308 and I'll do my job,' and ended the message with sexually explicit remarks about Swalwell's wife. In a follow-up call to Swalwell's office in mid-June, after already being questioned by the FBI, Giglio told a staff intern, 'Tell Eric Swalwell that we are coming and that we are going to handle everyone. We are going to hurt everyone,' according to the complaint. The complaint also details threats Giglio made to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, and to an FBI agent investigating the matter. In a message to Benson, he said, 'We are coming for you,' using explicit language and threatening to 'put her in a hole.' Giglio acknowledged sending the message during a June 3 interview with the FBI, the complaint said. On June 26, the day before his arrest, Giglio sent several hostile messages to the FBI agent, writing, 'Now I'm coming for you.' the complaint said. Giglio was arrested in California but was not charged over the threats to Benson or the FBI agent, the complaint said. The US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, which is prosecuting the case, and the FBI declined to comment. A public defender listed in court records as representing Giglio did not respond to requests for comment. The offices of Swalwell and Benson also did not immediately respond. The White House condemned the threats against Swalwell. 'As a survivor of multiple assassination attempts, the president takes these matters extremely seriously,' said White House spokesperson Harrison Fields. 'Anyone engaging in such behavior will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.' The complaint cites a 2024 Reuters investigation that identified Giglio as a persistent source of threats against public officials, including judges, lawmakers and state election officials. Despite multiple investigations by federal agencies, including the FBI and the Secret Service, Giglio had not previously been charged, as his messages often stopped short of the legal threshold for prosecution under the First Amendment, according to the Reuters report. The arrest comes amid the most sustained wave of US political violence since the 1970s, including two assassination attempts against Trump last year and the murder in June of a former Democratic speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives and her husband.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Trump supporter charged with making threats against U.S. lawmaker
July 23 (Reuters) - U.S. federal authorities have arrested a man accused of sending dozens of threatening and violent messages to public officials he viewed as hostile to President Donald Trump's agenda, charging him with threatening a member of Congress. Geoffrey Giglio, a Trump supporter who has previously been questioned by at least four federal law enforcement agencies over similar conduct, was charged this week with threatening a member of U.S. Congress, transmitting interstate threats and making anonymous harassing communications, according to a federal complaint. The charges stem from violent and profane messages Giglio allegedly left for U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat and frequent Trump critic. According to the complaint, Giglio left a voicemail for Swalwell in March warning, 'If you want to keep fighting, then we will come get you.' He referenced a .308 caliber rifle, saying, 'I'll just set up behind my .308 and I'll do my job,' and ended the message with sexually explicit remarks about Swalwell's wife. In a follow-up call to Swalwell's office in mid-June, after already being questioned by the FBI, Giglio told a staff intern, 'Tell Eric Swalwell that we are coming and that we are going to handle everyone. We are going to hurt everyone,' according to the complaint. The complaint also details threats Giglio made to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, and to an FBI agent investigating the matter. In a message to Benson, he said, 'We are coming for you,' using explicit language and threatening to 'put her in a hole.' Giglio acknowledged sending the message during a June 3 interview with the FBI, the complaint said. On June 26, the day before his arrest, Giglio sent several hostile messages to the FBI agent, writing, 'Now I'm coming for you.' the complaint said. Giglio was arrested in California but was not charged over the threats to Benson or the FBI agent, the complaint said. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, which is prosecuting the case, and the FBI declined to comment. A public defender listed in court records as representing Giglio did not respond to requests for comment. The offices of Swalwell and Benson also did not immediately respond. The White House condemned the threats against Swalwell. "As a survivor of multiple assassination attempts, the president takes these matters extremely seriously,' said White House spokesperson Harrison Fields. 'Anyone engaging in such behavior will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law." The complaint cites a2024 Reuters investigation that identified Giglio as a persistent source of threats against public officials, including judges, lawmakers and state election officials. Despite multiple investigations by federal agencies, including the FBI and the Secret Service, Giglio had not previously been charged, as his messages often stopped short of the legal threshold for prosecution under the First Amendment, according to the Reuters report. The arrest comes amid the most sustained wave of U.S. political violence since the 1970s, including two assassination attempts against Trump last year and the murder in June of a former Democratic speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives and her husband.
