BEAU LAFAVE

LANSING, Mich (AP) — State Rep. Beau LaFave of Iron Mountain is running for Michigan secretary of state in 2022.

The third-term Republican Assembly member announced his campaign on social media Monday, saying current Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s handling of the office is unacceptable. He cited a backlog of people seeking appointments over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

LaFave would have to secure the nomination at Republican conventions next spring and summer. Another candidate, Oak Park educator Kristina Karamo, has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and supports his claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

LaFave represents the 108th District, which includes Dickinson, Menominee and Delta counties. He chairs the House’s Military, Veterans & Homeland Security committee and vice chairs the Judiciary Committee.

A vocal supporter of the Second Amendment and accessibility to hunting for those with disabilities, LaFave was critical of Benson’s decision to ban open carry at polling locations on Election Day in 2020, calling it “appalling” and “fearmongering.”

Over the pandemic, Benson halted walk-in appointments at branch offices and has encouraged residents to use online services and schedule in-person appointments online. The Republican-led Legislature has pushed her to allow walk-ins without an appointment.

LaFave wrote in his announcement posts, “Today, I announce my campaign to OPEN THE OFFICES!”

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Anna Liz Nichols is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.