Former President Donald Trump has endorsed right-wing Republican candidates who support his proven-baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen for key election posts in Michigan.
His endorsement raises concern over a Trumpist takeover in how key battleground states run their elections. Trump and his allies are backing candidates across many vital states for this year’s midterm elections, including in Arizona and Georgia. But the intervention in Michigan is extra concerning because of its role in helping Trump win in 2016 before turning back to blue in 2020.
Trump and his ally Mike Lindell, the My Pillow CEO, are giving strong support to a Michigan lawyer who has been a hardcore promoter of the baseless election fraud claims. He is seeking to become the Republican nominee for the Michigan attorney general election. In April, Michigan’s GOP convention delegates will meet to endorse a Republican nominee, and Trump wants his man in the race.
The hopeful candidate is Matthew DePerno, who Trump formally endorsed in September 2021, bucking the GOP party yet again. DePerno has been a lead challenger to the 2020 election.
On March 8, Trump is set to host a fundraiser for DePerno at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Lindell said he will be speaking in order to boost DePerno’s chances at being named by the GOP to be the official nominee against the incumbent attorney general, Democratic candidate Dana Nessel.
As for the state’s Republican candidate for secretary of state, Trump has put his weight behind Kristina Karamo, a community college teacher who has never held an elected office and has extensively peddled conspiracy theories about election fraud.
The Secretary of State plays an important role in overseeing elections. Trump is investing heavily to overtake these posts ahead of the 2022 midterms. Trump is looking to oust incumbent Democrat Jocelyn Benson and insert his own man.
As for Michigan’s governor. Trump is suspected to soon endorse conservative commentator and businesswoman Tudor Dixon, who has backed some kind of vaguely defined “forensic audit” of Michigan’s 2020 election results. Trump held a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month for Dixon, who he calls “very special,” but has not yet actually endorsed. Dixon is one of a dozen Republican candidates hoping to be the next GOP pick for Michigan governor.
What it’s showing is that anyone who repeats his false claims that he lost the 2020 election may secure his support and his help. Experts say Trump sees these candidates as potential keys to swinging results in key states for his potential 2024 presidential run.
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