In 2023, a jury found Eric Molitor not guilty of assisting a group of men in their plan to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D, back in 2020. Now, Molitor is planning to run for sheriff in Michigan’s Wexford County.
Nine people were convicted in the kidnapping conspiracy and five were acquitted — including Molitor — who has filed paperwork to run in the 2024 Republican primary.
One of his campaign promises is not enforcing the state’s new “red flag law.” The law allows officials to remove guns from a person if they are found to be a danger to themselves or others.
Molitor has been critical of his experience at trial, saying the kidnapping scheme “set up by the feds.” In particular, Molitor called out a former FBI informant who was involved in the plan as part of the agency’s investigation to prevent a kidnapping from actually happening.
The government said the former informant, referred to as “Steve,” went rogue, calling him a “double agent.” Steve lost his job the same month six men were arrested for the kidnapping scheme.
In February, Molitor spoke publicly about the importance of becoming involved in local government.
“I’d actually like to talk about what i’m doing going forward because of this,” Molitor said. “Getting involved locally — it matters.”
He was joined by one of the others acquitted — Bill Null — who said he had dreams of becoming governor.
“I honestly want to put my name on the ballot for governor,” Null said. “I might be reaching for the stars, but we’ve gotta do something.”
Trent Taylor, the current Wexford County sheriff, told The Detroit News that “anybody can run for sheriff” and there are “no set qualifications.
The primary election will be held in August.
