LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan House Republicans are calling on Democratic Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson to disclose information regarding the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in light of its recent federal indictment.

House Resolution 313, introduced by Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Martin), calls on Benson to publicly address her role at the organization, and release any information she has on the SPLC. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted the SPLC for allegedly defrauding donors by claiming to fight extremism while actively funding extremist groups, rallies, and protests. Benson worked there in the early 2000s, and joined the Board of Directors in 2014. She stepped down after her election to state office in 2018.

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State Rep. Joseph Fox (R-Fremont) stands with Smit. “What we need is transparency,” said Fox. “When an organization like the SPLC is accused of funding extremists, the people of Michigan deserve to know who was involved and to what extent.” He added, “Considering Benson’s previous role as a board member of the SPLC and her work as an undercover investigator for the organization, she needs to disclose what she knew, and when she knew it. Anything less would be a betrayal to the people of this state.”