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Mike Cox sues Jocelyn Benson over FOIA request seeking records tied to Southern Poverty Law Center
By Ty Steele at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 17, 2026
· 3 min read
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox has filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is also running to be Michigan’s next governor, alleging her office has failed to produce public records related to her past involvement with the Southern Poverty Law Center despite a Fr...
Key takeaway The lawsuit, filed in the Michigan Court of Claims, asks a judge to order Benson’s office to immediately release the requested records before voting begins in Michigan’s 2026 election.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The lawsuit filed by Mike Cox against Jocelyn Benson has significant implications for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Michigan. As the state's chief election official, Benson's handling of public records requests is under scrutiny, particularly given her own candidacy. The fact that Cox's campaign was asked to pay a substantial deposit of over $5,000 to fulfill the FOIA request raises questions about the accessibility of public information in Michigan. The estimated cost of $10,309.94 to produce the records also highlights the challenges faced by citizens and candidates in obtaining information from state agencies. As the election approaches, voters will be watching to see how this lawsuit unfolds and whether Benson's office will be compelled to release the requested records, potentially shedding more light on her involvement with the Southern Poverty Law Center. The outcome of this case may impact the public's perception of Benson's transparency and accountability.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox has filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is also running to be Michigan’s next governor, alleging her office has failed to produce public records related to her past involvement with the Southern Poverty Law Center despite a Fr...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ty Steele at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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