There will be a new Republican serving on the bipartisan state board that certifies election results – most recently President-elect Joe Biden’s Michigan victory last November. Governor Gretchen Whitmer -- a Democrat -- selected Tony Daunt from a list submitted by the Michigan Republican Party.
The decisions of the Board of State Canvassers typically require a vote from at least one person from each party.
That got a lot of attention last year as Republicans on the board faced pressure from President Donald Trump and other Republicans to ignore Michigan’s popular vote.
Daunt will replace Aaron Van Langevelde, whose day job is state House Republican staff attorney. It was his vote that allowed President-elect Joe Biden’s Michigan victory to be formalized. Daunt agrees that was the right call.
“I’m a committed Republican, a committed conservative activist," said Daunt. "I’m also committed to upholding the rule of law.”
Whitmer also reappointed Jeanette Bradshaw as one of two Democrats on the board.