Michigan Man Sentenced in 2022 Election Petition Scandal

Shawn Wilmoth received 4 years in prison for forging signatures that disqualified 5 Republican gubernatorial candidates

Mar. 19, 2026 at 7:00am

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A man named Shawn Wilmoth was sentenced to at least 4 years in prison for his role in an election petition scandal that spoiled the candidacies of 5 Republicans running for Michigan governor in 2022. Wilmoth was hired by the candidates to help gather the required 15,000 signatures, but state officials believe many of the signatures were forged or fraudulently obtained. As a result, the candidates did not have enough valid signatures to qualify for the primary ballot.

Why it matters

The 2022 petition scandal highlighted concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in Michigan, with questions raised about the oversight and verification of petition signatures. The case also impacted the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary, as several high-profile candidates were forced out of the race due to the invalid signatures.

The details

Wilmoth and a co-defendant, Willie Reed, were convicted of forgery and other crimes related to the petition scandal. The candidates who were forced out of the race included former Detroit police Chief James Craig and businessman Perry Johnson, who is running again in 2026. The judge in the case agreed to allow Wilmoth to stay out of prison while he appeals his convictions, calling the case "unusual" and noting it was the first of its kind in Michigan.

  • Wilmoth was sentenced on March 18, 2026.
  • The petition scandal occurred during the 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election cycle.

The players

Shawn Wilmoth

The man at the center of the 2022 Michigan election petition scandal, who was sentenced to at least 4 years in prison for his role in forging signatures that disqualified 5 Republican gubernatorial candidates.

Willie Reed

A co-defendant of Wilmoth who was also convicted in the election petition scandal.

James Craig

Former Detroit police chief who was one of the Republican gubernatorial candidates forced out of the 2022 race due to the invalid signatures.

Perry Johnson

Millionaire businessman who was also one of the Republican gubernatorial candidates forced out of the 2022 race, but is running again in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“A case like this has never been seen before in Michigan.”

— Judge James Maceroni, Judge

“Every voter who signs a petition to get me on the August ballot will receive a text message asking them to confirm. I promise to submit 'petitions of the highest quality.'”

— Perry Johnson, Gubernatorial Candidate

What’s next

As Johnson runs for governor again in 2026, he said every voter who signs a petition to get him on the August ballot will receive a text message asking them to confirm.

The takeaway

The 2022 Michigan election petition scandal highlighted the need for stronger oversight and verification of petition signatures to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. The case also had a significant impact on the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary, with several high-profile candidates forced out of the race due to the invalid signatures.