Sunny Reddy at an event in Lansing / Handout

Michigan Republican Party Co-Chair Sunny Reddy called on Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to step aside from direct oversight of the 2026 elections while she campaigns for governor.

Speaking at an event in Lansing, Reddy said Benson’s dual role as Michigan’s chief election officer and a gubernatorial candidate raises concerns about public confidence in the election process.

Also Read: Sunny Reddy ties immigrant journey to Wayne State Hall honor

Benson won the Democratic nomination for governor on Aug. 4 and will face Republican John James in the Nov. 3 general election.

“No candidate should directly oversee the administration of an election in which the candidate personally has their name on the ballot,” Reddy said.

Reddy called for a “transparent and independent process” to oversee the 2026 elections, saying it should give Republicans, Democrats, independents and other Michigan voters confidence that the election is being administered without the appearance of a conflict.

“If a Republican Secretary of State were running for governor, I would demand exactly the same standard,” Reddy said.

Benson's election firewall

Benson announced a firewall policy in May to address potential conflicts arising from her role as secretary of state and her campaign for governor. Under the policy, she would recuse herself from certain election procedures that could affect the gubernatorial race and delegate those responsibilities to the director of elections.

The policy covers matters including candidate petition reviews, recount petitions, post-election audits and campaign finance complaints. However, Benson would continue to serve as Michigan’s chief elections officer and retain final authority on election policy. 

Reddy’s request goes beyond the firewall, calling for Benson to step aside from direct oversight of the 2026 election while she remains a candidate for governor.

Noncitizen voting allegations

Reddy also raised concerns about voter eligibility, referring to allegations involving an Iranian national who allegedly registered and voted in multiple Michigan elections despite not being a U.S. citizen.

“If these allegations are confirmed, we need more than explanations. We need answers and accountability,” Reddy said.

He questioned how the individual was allegedly added to Michigan’s voter rolls, how the person was able to vote repeatedly and why the registration remained active. He also asked whether there were other similar cases that Michigan voters do not know about.

“We should not exaggerate the problem, but we should absolutely never minimize it,” Reddy said. “Whether it happens once, 10 times, or a thousand times, an illegal vote has no place in Michigan elections.”

Reddy did not establish during his remarks that the allegations had been confirmed.

The Michigan Department of State has previously said that noncitizen voting is extremely rare. A 2025 review identified 15 people who appeared to be non-U.S. citizens and had cast ballots in the 2024 general election. The cases represented 0.00028 percent of more than 5.7 million ballots cast, with 13 referred to the Michigan attorney general for potential prosecution. 

Reddy's citizenship background

Reddy, who also serves on the Wayne State University Board of Governors, said his concerns about voting eligibility are personal. He said he came to the U.S. legally more than three decades ago and waited nearly 15 years before becoming a U.S. citizen.

“I came to this country legally more than three decades ago, searching for an opportunity and an American dream,” Reddy said. “I worked hard, built my life here, and waited for 15 years before becoming the United States citizen.”

Reddy said becoming a citizen gave him a strong appreciation for the right to vote.

“That right means something to me, and I believe we all have a responsibility to protect it,” he said. “This should not be a Republican issue or a Democratic issue. It should be an American issue.”

He said election security and voter access should not be treated as competing goals.

“We can have secure elections and accessible elections,” Reddy said. “Every eligible citizen should be able to vote. Every legal ballot should be counted, and only those legally eligible to vote should participate in our elections.”

“Citizenship matters. Your vote matters, and the people of Michigan deserve elections they can trust,” Reddy said.

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