Common Cause Michigan Issues Statement After FBI Arrest of GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Ryan Kelley

LANSING, MI — This afternoon, the FBI arrested Michigan gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley in Allendale. Kelley has been charged with a misdemeanor in relation to the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol. Kelley is alleged to have entered and engaged in disorderly conduct, as well as physical violence during the insurrection.

Kelley, who is a frontrunner in the GOP primary, has propagated the false claim that former President Donald Trump won the 2020 election. Mr. Kelley received President Trump’s endorsement in the Michigan gubernatorial race.

Statement of Quentin Turner, Common Cause Michigan Policy Director:

Today, Mr. Kelley was arrested for his ties to the attacks on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

We believe that Mr. Kelley’s arrest is one that highlights a well-known truth: that Jan. 6 was an insurrection, not legitimate political discourse. The actions made by Mr. Kelley and other insurrectionists do not align with the values of Michiganders who believe in the freedom to vote without the threat of violence or intimidation. His and others’ behavior that day led to several deaths and many more injuries, and he must be held accountable.

Furthermore, Mr. Kelley’s actions point to an even greater attack on our democracy. It has long been documented that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election — including in the state of Michigan — and that 2020 had the most secure elections to date. After countless audits, the propagation of the Big Lie by Kelley and other Trump-endorsed candidates is an attempt to undermine the will of the people. We must take those threats seriously and be committed to protecting democracy and voting rights.