Michigan Secretary of State Responds to Republican Criticism

On Friday, Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s Secretary of State, countered attacks from the Republican Party. The GOP has been pressing her for clarification regarding her previous involvement with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which has recently faced legal scrutiny.

Benson, who volunteered for the SPLC and served on its board, was implicated in a federal indictment along with the organization for allegedly making improper payments to extremist groups, including the KKK, and individuals associated with the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche mentioned that the SPLC reportedly compensated members of these extremist groups to create reports on their activities.

In a post on its official X account, the Michigan Republican Party stated, “Jocelyn Benson frequently highlighted her role at the SPLC, a group that the Department of Justice claims secretly funneled money to the KKK and other hate organizations.” They posed the question: “What did Jocelyn know? When did she know it?”

Further Scrutiny and Responses

After graduating from college in 2004, Benson worked at the SPLC in Alabama, focusing on hate groups and hate crimes, according to the Harvard Law Review. Notably, she visited Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge, a historical site of civil rights marches.

Benson confirmed her time as a volunteer researcher at the SPLC after college and her later board membership from 2014 to 2018. However, when pressed about her knowledge regarding the allegations in the indictment, her campaign stood firm against the GOP’s accusations.

The campaign emphasized, “Jocelyn Benson has dedicated her career to advancing civil rights and tackling white supremacist networks responsible for hate crimes across the nation.” They also noted that while former President Trump seeks to divert attention from economic issues affecting Michiganders, Benson remains focused on addressing rising costs and advocating for workers’ rights.

Republican officials continue to demand clarity from Benson. Michigan GOP Chairman Jim Runestad pointed out that Benson’s time on the SPLC board aligns with the timing of the alleged financial activities. He stated that she has a responsibility to explain what she knows about the SPLC’s alleged wrongdoing.

Benson’s Commitment to Civil Rights

Benson has indicated that her early focus at the SPLC was on extremist investigations. Reflecting on her experiences, she once spoke passionately about confronting extremist ideologies, describing moments of fear and courage during her work.

An SPLC employee, Penny Weaver, noted that Benson started as an unpaid intern right after college, juggling waitressing to support her volunteering.

The SPLC itself has a long history of advocating against white supremacy, insisting it investigates and provides critical information to law enforcement to dismantle hate groups. CEO Brian Fair responded to the current investigation, expressing outrage over the allegations and reaffirming the organization’s dedication to fighting racial hatred.

The Department of Justice has outlined a list of extremist groups tied to the investigation. Critics argue that the SPLC’s practices raise questions, especially regarding payments made to organizations they claim to oppose.