Election fraud activist announces Michigan attorney general bid

Matthew DePerno, a Kalamazoo-based attorney who filed a case challenging the Antrim County 2020 general elections results and made a number of unfounded accusations and false statements about the election, is running for Attorney General in 2022, according to a press release.

DePerno made his announcement around 1 a.m. Thursday morning, but didn’t specify in the press release what party for which he would seek the nomination. In Michigan, AG nominees are determined at party conventions.

“DePerno will engage in impartial criminal investigations and will follow and enforce the law. He is committed to being a servant of the people in the role of Michigan State Attorney General. He reveres the honor and responsibility the same as any duly American representative must in this American Republic,” DePerno’s press release said.

DePerno gained national attention for his involvement in a court case focused on Antrim County, a GOP stronghold, that briefly showed Democratic President Joe Biden defeating former President Donald Trump in unofficial election returns and was quickly corrected. The mistake, which was caused by human error, has been the subject of many pro-Trump conspiracy theories.

DePerno called for a “forensic audit” into Antrim County, but a 13th Circuit Court judge dismissed the case in May. 

DePerno started a “election fraud defense” fundraiser. However, it’s unclear how much he has raised so far because the website for the fundraiser is mostly blank. 

Last week, Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, who will likely run for reelection in 2022, agreed to take on an investigation requested by a GOP lawmaker into “those who have been utilizing misleading and false information about Antrim County to raise money or publicity for their own ends.” 

DePerno did not respond to a request to comment on the fundraiser, Nessel’s investigation or his campaign.