Headed into the 2022 election cycle, Republicans were relatively confident that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was vulnerable to a strong GOP contender. The Democratic incumbent’s approval rating isn’t bad, but the Wolverine State is highly competitive, and with the prevailing political winds at the GOP’s back, Republicans saw an opportunity.....

Two weeks ago, half of the Republican field — including former Detroit police chief James Craig and self-funding businessman Perry Johnson, generally seen as the top two contenders — was disqualified from the primary ballot. The five GOP candidates were found to have submitted candidacy petitions filled with forged signatures.....

Yesterday, as NBC News reported, Kelley was arrested and charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Federal agents raided Ryan Kelley’s home in Allendale, Michigan, on Thursday morning. NBC News received a tip about the raid, which was confirmed by a law enforcement official. An FBI spokesperson later confirmed that a search warrant was executed at the home where Kelley, 40, was arrested. He faces four charges related to his alleged actions at the Capitol, including disorderly conduct and willfully injuring or attacking U.S. property, according to the criminal complaint.

Or put another way, Michigan’s Republican gubernatorial primary, which was already bizarre, has gone completely off the rails. Of the 10 candidates who were vying for the GOP nomination, more than half have of either been kicked off the ballot for fraud or arrested by the FBI.