Oakland County businesswoman to run for secretary of state

By Craig Mauger, Medianews Group

Lansing -Monica Yatooma, a businesswoman of Oakland County and 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference consultant, introduced on Wednesday that she is going to search for the GOP nomination for the State Secretary subsequent 12 months.

Yatooma, 38, from Commerce Township has constructed up connections throughout the Republican Get together of Michigan and has expertise within the advocacy Great education initiative This works to strengthen the rights of oldsters and native management throughout the college system. She additionally owns an organization for eradicating hazardous waste known as Metro Detroit Medical Waste.

In an interview on Wednesday, Yatooma mentioned she was concerned in politics after the 2020 presidential election, which Republican Donald Trump misplaced to Democrat Joe Biden.

“I went to mattress and thought I’d get up with Trump as president, and that was not the case,” mentioned Yatooma. “I known as my state consultant and I mentioned I wished to know how this all works.”

Dan-Rep. Ryan Berman, R-Commerce Township, suggested Yatooma to grow to be a district consultant, she mentioned. That recommendation launched its involvement in Republican politics.

Trump then received the presidential elections of 2024 and a second time period. He has argued that widespread fraud influenced his loss for Biden in Michigan in 2020, nevertheless, he has not provided any evidence To show his claims.

Requested if she believes that Biden received the 2020 elections – he did 3 share factors or 154,000 votes – Yatooma mentioned that residents of Michigan “deserve an election that’s undoubtedly”.

“Otherwise you assume it is stolen or not, I do know one factor is evident: there have been documented, large irregularities,” mentioned Yatooma. “There was weak safety, and to be sincere, there have been damaged processes that actually destroyed confidence within the system.”

“My focus won’t litigate from 2020 once more,” Yatooma added. I believe we must always transfer ahead. My focus will probably be on repairing the system, in order that we by no means have one other election the place half of the state doubts the result. “

As State Secretary and one of the best election officer of Michigan, Yatooma mentioned she would make sure that signatures are verified on absent poll papers, clear up the voter roles and make it simpler for individuals to get providers from International Minister.

The present State Secretary of Michigan, Democrat Jocelyn Benson, can not seek for a 3rd time period in 2026 resulting from deadlines, however runs for Governor.

Yatooma has beforehand campaigned for public workplace in 2022, Lose a republican primary race For the Oakland County Fee to be Christine Lengthy of Commerce Township.

Michigan’s Republican delegates are anticipated to nominees for the general public normal and state secretary of a conference early subsequent 12 months.

To date, two different Republicans have shaped committees to proceed for State Secretary: Amanda Love of Oakland County and Timothy Smith van Muskegon County. Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini also can take part within the race.

On the democratic facet, Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and deputy State Secretary Aghogho Edevbie have introduced their plans to satisfy for State Secretary.

Initially printed: September 4, 2025 at 11:11 AM EDT