Detroit, MI — A Republican election official who caused controversy by initially refusing to certify 2020 Detroit-area results in favor of President Joe Biden has died. Family members say William Hartmann was in a hospital with COVID-19. The Michigan Republican Party says it was informed about Hartmann's death. Hartmann was a member of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers. The low profile panel briefly burst into the national spotlight a year ago when it tied, 2-2, and failed to certify election results. Hartmann and fellow Republican member Monica Palmer changed course that same night after a wave of harsh criticism during the public comment period of the stormy meeting.