WATCH: Activist Says Jocelyn Benson Should Be De-Certified Over Michigan Filing Fees
Jocelyn Benson’s campaign for governor is facing a ballot challenge from Michigan activist Robert Davis.
Davis joined investigative reporter Charlie LeBuff on the “No BS Newshour” podcast released Wednesday. During the discussion, Davis argued that Benson should not be certified as the Democratic nominee for governor because of statements she made on campaign paperwork.
At the center of the dispute is an affidavit of identity. According to Davis, candidates must attest that all required campaign-related filing fees and fines have been filed or paid when they sign the document.
Davis claims Benson had outstanding late filing fees when she signed her affidavit. He also said that a campaign committee created for Benson’s Secretary of State campaign had unpaid late fees that were later discovered.
That allegation is especially significant, Davis argued, because Benson currently serves as Michigan’s secretary of state and is the state’s chief elections officer. He said the official responsible for enforcing Michigan election law should have truthfully completed the required paperwork.
“Jocelyn Benson should not be certified to appear on the November general election ballot as a Democratic nominee because she filed a false affidavit of identity to qualify as a candidate for governor.”
When asked about the potential penalty, Davis pointed to what he described as the mandatory consequence under amended Michigan election law.
“The penalty is, is that under the amended Michigan election law, a candidate cannot appear on the ballot as a candidate. They have to be decertified. They cannot be certified by the local county clerk, city clerk, or by the secretary of state. That’s just election law. That’s election law.”
The discussion also raised the question of whether Benson’s alleged error involved perjury or simply paperwork that was not properly completed. Davis maintained that either way, the certification requirement is mandatory.
“It is mandatory.”
Davis said he filed a challenge based on the alleged filing violations. The source article does not report a final ruling on the challenge or say whether Benson has been removed from the ballot.
A video clip from the “No BS Newshour” discussion was shared with the claim that Benson “MUST be de-certified.”
Jocelyn Benson MUST be de-certified. The law says so. @Charlieleduff pic.twitter.com/e91TIIceG8
— Michigan Enjoyer (@mich_enjoyer) August 14, 2026