Lawyer accused of tampering with voting machines drops out of Michigan Supreme Court race

FLINT, MI – A Michigan lawyer who challenged the results of the 2020 election is no longer in the race for Michigan Supreme Court justice.

Former Republican candidate for Attorney General Matthew DePerno announced his withdrawal from the race for the Michigan Supreme Court on Friday, August 23, just hours before his party’s nominating convention on Saturday.

DePerno said his decision was based on how he could best help former President Donald Trump win Michigan and reclaim the White House, according to an Associated Press report.

He announced his candidacy for the seat currently held by Judge Kyra Harris Bolden in June 2024. Republican delegates in Flint will choose between Alexandria Taylor, a Detroit attorney, and District Judge Patrick O'Grady on Saturday, August 24.

Michigan Supreme Court elections are bipartisan, and candidates run on the ballot without party affiliation, but nominees are chosen by party conventions. Two seats are up for grabs. The other is held by Justice David Vivano, who is supported by the Republicans.

Democrats currently hold a 4-3 majority, so the election will decide the balance of power. The Democratic convention will be held in Lansing, where delegates are expected to nominate Bolden, who was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2022 after Judge Bridget Mary McCormack resigned. She was the first black woman appointed to the court.

When DePerno announced his candidacy, he was still facing election machine tampering charges, according to Oakland County District Court case details, accusing him of playing a role in a plot to tamper with voting machines after the 2020 presidential election.

Related: DePerno and Rendon charged for their roles in Michigan tabulator investigation

Five ballot counters were illegally stolen from three Michigan counties and taken to a hotel room, according to documents released by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in 2022. Investigators found that the counters were broken into and the machines “tested.”

DePerno was named as the “principal instigator” in the case.

He is currently facing one count each of unlawful possession of a voting machine, conspiracy to unlawfully possess a voting machine, conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to a computer or computer system, and intentionally damaging a voting machine. His case is pending.