Michigan man acquitted in Whitmer kidnapping plot is gearing up to run for governor
William Null of Shelbyville, Mich. is the latest candidate to signal their interest in seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2026, despite his history of being implicated in the plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Null was charged but was later found not guilty for his alleged role in offering support to the men who conspired to kidnap Whitmer in 2020. He was also one of several militia members who entered the state Capitol, with tactical gear and long guns strapped around their torsos, in protest of Whitmer’s lockdowns at the height of the COVID pandemic.
News of his candidacy was met with near immediate skepticism from Republicans and others on social media, who questioned if Null could amass the more than 15,000 valid signatures needed to make the ballot. Even if he does make the ballot, he faces fierce competition in U.S. Rep. John James, also of Shelbyville, who has positioned himself as a frontrunner in the race.
Aside from James, the full slate of Republican gubernatorial candidates includes Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township, former Attorney General Mike Cox, former House Speaker Tom Leonard, far-right activist Anthony Hudson and anti-property tax advocate Karla Wagner.
Two men were found guilty in the plot to kidnap Whitmer: Adam Fox and Barry Croft, who are currently serving prison sentences. But several others were arrested and prosecuted on separate federal and state charges. Those who faced federal charges other than Fox and Croft were acquitted, but at least one of them pleaded guilty and testified against the defendants.
Null was among those charged on alleged state crimes of offering material support to Fox and Croft. Several were convicted, but Null, his twin brother Michael Null, and Eric Molitor were found not guilty.
Molitor is listed in campaign filings as the treasurer for Null’s new bid for Michgian’s highest office.
He has been eyeing a run for governor since last year.
The Michigan Democratic Party in a news release condemned the burgeoning campaign.
“William Null is a far-right extremist and former militia member whose dangerous, violent extremism has no place in our state,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel said in a statement. “The Michigan Democratic Party strongly condemns Null’s candidacy for governor, and we urge Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad and each of the Republican candidates for governor to join us in condemning Null and his dangerous extremism.”
This story was originally produced by Michigan Advance, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Ohio Capital Journal, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Ohio Capital Journal maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor David Dewitt for questions: info@ohiocapitaljournal.com.