William Hartmann, who was a Michigan Republican official who spent the last few years of his career pushing conspiracy theories about election fraud and COVID vaccinations being dangerous, recently passed away after catching the COVID-19 virus himself. He was 63 years old when he passed in the Michigan hospital. During the past election, Hartmann was one of many GOP politicians who initially refused to certify Joe Biden’s victory, along with his colleague Monica Palmer.

Both representatives were adamant about that decision, despite Joe Biden’s clear victory over Donald Trump, with more than twice the votes and no proof of voter fraud. At the time, the two conservative’s refusal to certify the president clashed with their democratic colleagues, and the political opposition caused tension and uncertainty in the state, as is so common in many political spheres today, big or small.

Even after they certified the election, both Hartmann and Palmer then tried to backtrack, despite the fact that there is no way to do so. Hartmann’s far-right views were truly staggering, especially his views on the COVID vaccine mandates, which he compared to Nazi Germany before he passed away from the disease himself.

William Hartmann, a staunch anti-vaxxer and Michigan Republican official who refused to certify Joe Biden’s presidential victory in his county, has died of COVID. At this rate, the Republicans aren’t going to have any voters left. No wonder why they need to rig elections. pic.twitter.com/YptWkskVql

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) December 10, 2021

Hartmann is not the first COVID denier or far-right extremist to contract COVID-19, or even the first to pass away from the virus, but his death is a reminder of how deeply COVID is still affecting the United States, as well as how many people are still openly refusing and even fighting the vaccine.

As the pandemic reaches almost a two-year mark, the numbers of those dying in hospitals from the virus all around the country is not diminishing as greatly as some would expect, and some increases are even being seen as those who are vaccinated become carriers without knowing it. It is a new shock everyday to learn how many people will continue to deny the virus, even if they become affected themselves.

Republican who wouldn’t certify Michigan election loses to Covid. #covid19 #michigan #election2020 #williamhartmann #wyandotte pic.twitter.com/g9pDkXyRuF

— Is Anyone Left? 🍉 (@is_anyone_left) December 11, 2021

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