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'A publicity stunt': AG Dana Nessel responds to Texas lawsuit

December 8, 2020
<p>Design by Hope Ann Flores. </p>

Design by Hope Ann Flores.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has listed Michigan as one of four states in a lawsuit alleging state and federal election requirement violations. The lawsuit, executed Monday, was filed in the U.S. Supreme Court and marks one of several incidents questioning the presidential election.

In the lawsuit, Paxton alleges Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania used COVID-19 as justification to unconstitutionally revise state elections. Paxton said this weakens ballot integrity.

In a response statement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the lawsuit "is a publicity stunt, not a serious legal pleading."

"The erosion of confidence in our democratic system isn’t attributable to the good people of Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia or Pennsylvania but rather to partisan officials, like Mr. Paxton, who place loyalty to a person over loyalty to their country," Nessel said.

Last month, President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit in Michigan alleging Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson did not allow bipartisan review of absentee ballots. The lawsuit was denied days later.

In contacting election officials of both parties across the U.S., The New York Times found none with evidence of election fraud or other irregularities. Despite this, election controversy has continued locally with incidents such as intimidation of public officials and a protest at Michigan's Capitol.

Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani also testified before the state Senate on the election process. On Sunday, Giuliani was hospitalized with COVID-19 after testifying in a conference room without a mask.

The Senate is currently investigating the election process after claims of irregularities. These claims persisted despite the Michigan election being certified.

During her COVID-19 update Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged Michiganders to put the election behind them and focus on COVID-19 challenges.

State and federal courts have already evaluated and denied the Michigan issues Paxton raised, according to Nessel's statement.

The State News is awaiting comment from Ryan Jarvi, a press secretary with the Michigan Attorney General's office.

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