He was acquitted of charges related to the plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer. Now he's running for sheriff

A man acquitted last year on charges related to a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 is now seeking to unseat the sitting county sheriff.

Eric Molitor has filed to run in next August's Republican primary against Trent Taylor, the sheriff of deep-red Wexford County in northern Michigan. His central message, he told CNN, is to ensure “the least government involvement and intrusion in our lives.”

The 40-year-old from Cadillac, Michigan, describes himself as a “big political activist” and says he considered running for township supervisor, but a conversation he and his brother had with Taylor last month inspired him to take up running. sheriff instead.

“I came away from there with the utmost respect for the way he handled the situation because we have some very difficult questions for someone running for office, and (Taylor) did not hesitate,” did he declare.

But Molitor said Taylor told them he would enforce the state's recently enacted “red flag” gun safety law, which Molitor considers “highly unconstitutional.”

The law, signed last year by Whitmer, a Democrat, makes it easier for law enforcement to seize firearms from people suspected of being a danger to themselves or others. It was part of a series of gun safety laws signed by Michigan's governor after a series of deadly shootings, including at Michigan State University in February 2023, that left three people dead and several others injured.

Taylor told CNN that he believed he was constitutionally obligated to enforce state laws and that it would be “unwise” not to do so, as Molitor said.

“He has a right to run,” Taylor, who is seeking a third four-year term, said of his opponent. “I hope the citizens of Wexford County recognize that I and my team have done a good job and vote for me in the August primary.”

In September, a jury found Molitor not guilty of one count of materially supporting a terrorist act and possessing a firearm while committing or attempting to commit a crime.

State prosecutors had alleged that Molitor and others targeted Whitmer's vacation home in northern Michigan and monitored her home.

Molitor and his two co-defendants, who were also acquitted in the fall trial, were the last in a group of 14 people prosecuted in state and federal courts for the kidnapping plot. Ultimately, nine were convicted or pleaded guilty in the case, and five were acquitted.

Molitor told CNN that his experience opened his eyes to the flaws in the justice system.

“I had no idea how our system actually worked until I went through it at that level,” he said. “It was crazy.”

Molitor said he and others who feel wronged by the system, including those who were acquitted of charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, have a “duty” to “come forward.” and enact reforms.

“It’s apathy that got us to where we are today. We must be the change we want. And you know, to stand there and say that someone has to do this is so unfair when we're the ones who have been personally affected by the issues that we've seen,” he said.

Although Molitor says his experience has changed some of his views, he has denied the notion that he is completely “anti-government” or “anti-law enforcement,” explaining that he feels called to be ” an arbiter between the people and the powers that be.”

Currently, to run for sheriff in Michigan, candidates must live and be able to vote in the county where they are seeking a four-year term.

The Michigan House passed legislation late last year that would require new candidates for county sheriff to be a licensed law enforcement officer or certified corrections officer with at least five years of experience. experience. It is currently subject to referral by a state Senate committee. Both chambers are controlled by Democrats.

The Michigan Sheriffs' Association supports the bill. Dan Pfannes, the group's deputy director, said the organization had hoped the law would be signed into law before last month's application deadline for the 2024 races.

“One of the things we were hoping to do was get these qualifications in place as soon as possible,” he said, noting that he believes the legislation is still on the “right track” toward eventual passage .

Pfannes made it clear that the sheriffs' association believed the bill would be “part of efforts to improve our profession.”

The organization would not comment on Molitor's candidacy, citing group policy. Molitor has no law enforcement experience. He previously worked as a security contractor.

The Michigan Democratic Party responded to Molitor's candidacy earlier this month, calling him a “MAGA Republican,” a reference to former President Donald Trump's “Make America Great Again” slogan. Trump did not provide his support in the primary.

“It is clear that there is no line that Michigan Republicans will not cross – this candidate is just the latest in a long line of MAGA MIGOP extremists running at various levels of the ballot,” the Michigan Democratic Party said in a statement. He also highlighted Michele Lundgren, one of 16 people facing charges related to the 2020 election subversion plot in Michigan, who is currently running in a Republican primary for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Although Molitor currently identifies as a Republican, he said he previously aligned with “liberal independent” ideology. He said he voted for Whitmer and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, also a Democrat, when they first sought office in 2018.

“I saw two strong women and I said to myself, 'Let's see what these two can do,'” he recalls.

He now aligns himself with the Republican Party because he believes conservatives are “more concerned with protecting all rights,” specifically emphasizing free speech. as a key question.

Molitor said he supported Trump in 2016 and 2020 and intends to support the presumptive Republican nominee again in November.

CNN's Lauren del Valle, Veronica Stracqualursi, Josh Campbell and Michelle Watson contributed to this report.

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