Rep. LaFave joins Republican SOS race after Trump endorsed opponent

State Rep. Beau LaFave (R-Iron Mountain) said in a Facebook post Monday morning that he plans to run for secretary of state in 2022. However, President Donald Trump last month already endorsed another Republican running who has spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 election he lost.

Trump’s pick is Kristina Karamo, a former GOP poll watcher from Oak Park and says she is precinct delegate, Michigan GOP state committeewoman, member of Michigan’s 14th District Republican Executive Committee. Voters will not decide the nomination; delegates to the Michigan GOP state convention will do so in April 2022.

“Highly respected Kristina Karamo has my Complete and Total Endorsement to run for Secretary of State of the Great State of Michigan!” Trump said in September. “… Kristina will fight for you like no other.”

LaFave did not mention Trump or being the state’s chief election officer in his statement, but instead slammed Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for customer service issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am running for Secretary of State! Enough is enough! Our current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson would continue making the 10,000,000 People of Michigan wait weeks and months to see her staff at local offices… AFTER booking an appointment online. It is unacceptable. This, and many other issues we will discuss over the next 13 months, is why I’m running to Open the Offices and Restore Integrity to the SOS,” he posted.

Plainfield Township Clerk Cathleen Postmus also has filed to run as a Republican for secretary of state. LaFave has not yet filed a candidate committee with the secretary of state.