Michigan Republicans ask Justice Department to monitor next year’s elections

Agroupof22RepublicanstatelawmakerssentaletterThursdayaskingtheU.S.DepartmentofJusticetosuperviseMichigan’selectionsnextyear. TheletterescalatesongoingtensionbetweenlegislativeRepublicansandDemocraticSecretaryofStateJocelynBensonovertheconductofpastandfutureelectionsinMichigan. TheletteraddressedtoU.S.AttorneyGeneralPamBondi,anappointeeofPresidentDonaldTrump,arguesthatBensonwillbesupervisingoneormoreelectionswhereshewillalsobeacandidateassheseekstheDemocraticnominationforgovernor. “Thiscreatesaninherentandunavoidableconflictofinterest,asSecretaryBensonwillbeadministeringanelectioninwhichshehasadirectpersonalstakeintheoutcome,”saystheletter.“Suchasituationriskscompromisingtheimpartialityrequiredforfairelectionoversightanddemandsexternalfederalscrutinytomaintainpublictrust.” TheletteralsoattacksBenson’smanagementofelectionsandmaintainingvoterrolls.SheandherofficehavebeenthetargetofsubpoenasfromtheG