LANSING, Mich., July 18, 2023 — Attorney General Dana Nessel announced felony charges today against 16 Michigan residents for their role in the alleged “false electors” scheme following the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood is among the defendants. State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement in response to the charges:
“Anyone charged with attempting to overthrow American democracy must face the consequences of the law, regardless of their political affiliation. That’s why the individuals who are charged with conspiring to ignore millions of legal Michigan votes — essentially to install Trump as an unelected dictator — must be held to account. I applaud AG Nessel for filing charges against Michigan’s fake electors, including multiple felonies, and I have full faith that our justice system will produce a fair outcome. Our elections are safe and secure, and we must keep it that way. Among the Republicans accused of attempting to overturn the results of those free and fair elections is Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood. I strongly believe that in light of these extremely serious allegations, the right thing for the mayor to do is resign.”