“Ryan Kelley, 40, of Allendale, Michigan, has been arrested this morning for a misdemeanor offense for non-compliance with the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He was arrested in Allendale. Mr. Kelley must do his initial appearance this afternoon in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Michigan, “said Bill Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. District Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia.
The Detroit FBI Field Office confirmed Kelley’s arrest and said her home was searched Thursday morning.
“I can confirm that FBI officers from the Grand Rapids office executed an arrest warrant and search of Mr. Kelley’s residence in Allendale, MI. At this time, I cannot provide any information on the nature of charges against Mr. Kelley, although I hope more information will be forthcoming, “Mara Schneider, a public affairs officer at the FBI’s Detroit office, said in a written statement.
CNN has contacted Kelley’s campaign.
In 2020, Kelley, a real estate broker, began leading protests against Covid’s blockades and mandates in Michigan, according to her website. He said he led protests against Covid’s restrictions on the state capital in Lansing and Grand Rapids.
The gubernatorial candidate added that he “guarded a Civil War statue in his hometown of Allendale” during the 2020 summer protests.
A crowded Republican camp is battling to face Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in what will be one of the most watched campaigns in the country this fall.
Kelley’s arrest adds another twist to an already chaotic Republican primary fight. It comes after the Michigan Court of Appeals earlier this month rejected the efforts of two Republican candidates for governor to include their names in the August primary vote.
Candidates, businessman Perry Johnson and financial advisor Michael Markey, filed lawsuits after the Michigan Board of Collectors stalled last month, leaving a decision by the U.S. Elections Office. state that five gubernatorial candidates did not have enough valid signatures to stand for election.
The court’s unanimous decisions were a major setback for the affected candidates, including former Detroit police chief James Craig, who have filed legal challenges to try to revive their campaigns. Kelley was not among the candidates affected by the signing problem.
The issue of signing had shuffled the race to govern in Michigan, just two months before the August primaries.
This story has been updated with additional information.