Author: sisaacson@michigandems.com

Post VP debate, Michigan Dems Chair highlights the stark differences between the potential vice presidents

LANSING — Tonight, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz outlined how the Harris-Walz administration will build a brighter future for Americans, in stark contrast with J.D. Vance who, with Donald Trump, will drag us backward. Following this debate, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes released the following statement: 

“J.D. Vance and Donald Trump clearly have nothing to offer Michiganders besides empty promises and an out-of-touch Project 2025 agenda that will cost Americans in our bank accounts and destroy our freedoms. On the other hand, Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz are fighting to make Michiganders’ lives better — making our economy stronger, defending our reproductive freedoms, and ensuring that everyone has affordable health care.

“Governor Walz was a middle-class kid from Nebraska who became a teacher and a coach before running for elected office — his entire life has been about helping others while J.D. Vance has spent his life serving himself. Michiganders saw two different visions for our country tonight, and Michiganders will reject Trump and Vance’s MAGA agenda and choose Harris and Walz’s vision for joy and prosperity this November.”

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The post STATEMENT: Chair Barnes Applauds Gov. Walz Vision for a Brighter Future vs. Vance’s Plan to Drag Us Back appeared first on Michigan Democratic Party.

The extremists who want to flip the state House can’t even get their own houses in order

LANSING — In case you missed it, American Journal News exposed the concerning history of financial irresponsibility of Republican candidates running for the Michigan state House. While each of these candidates have a platform claiming to improve Michigan’s economy and the state’s expenses, the reality is that they are all plagued by recurring personal financial problems. 

Even in their own lives, these MAGA fanatics can’t be trusted to manage their finances, so why on earth should Michiganders trust them to take care of the state’s finances? It is crystal clear that these campaigns are mired in hypocrisy, not to mention their numerous other extreme positions.

Thankfully, Michigan Dems are out in our communities every day talking to voters, knocking on doors, and showing their constituents how Dems have delivered for them. Unfortunately for these irresponsible extremists, Michiganders see right through them and will once again deliver the state House for Democrats across the state.

Read more about these candidates below: 

American Journal News: Unpaid taxes and failed businesses haunt Michigan’s Republican state House candidates

• Ronald Singer, a mechanical engineer, is the Republican candidate in House district 13, which includes portions of Warren and Center Line. Singer’s campaign website calls for slashing taxes for corporations and individuals and increasing oversight of how tax dollars are spent.
• According to property records, Singer owns four condominiums in Warren. He was late paying property taxes on these condominiums in 2019 and 2020. 
• Singer previously owned an apartment building in Fraser. The building was given a citation in 2005 for a rat infestation…Singer’s Democratic opponent is incumbent Rep. Mai Xiong.
• Dale Biniecki, a retired truck driver, is the Republican candidate in House district 31. He pledges to support policies that are “cost effective to the Michigan taxpayer” but has faced similar issues to Singer.
• Biniecki was late paying property taxes six times between 2003 and 2006. The IRS imposed liens against Biniecki and his spouse for unpaid federal taxes in 1986, 1990, and 1991. District 31 is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Reggie Miller. 
• Utica City Councilman Ron Robinson, the Republican candidate in House district 58, touts his experience as a small business owner on his campaign website.
• Robinson’s business record, however, is spotty. In 2007, he founded Splice of Life Creative Productions, a photography and video production company in Redford Township… 
• Splice of Life Creative Productions has not submitted any annual reports since 2021. LARA currently lists the business as active but not in good standing, signaling that the business has not met certain compliance obligations. Robinson is challenging incumbent Democratic Rep. Nate Shannon.
• Andy Shaver, a pastor from Eaton County, is the Republican candidate in House district 76. Shaver lists “Property Rights” as a campaign priority and calls for eliminating limitations on land use. Shaver has been reprimanded for repeatedly failing to pay taxes and mortgages on properties he owns…

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The post ICYMI: “Unpaid taxes and failed businesses haunt Michigan’s Republican state House candidates”  appeared first on Michigan Democratic Party.

LANSING — Mike Rogers can’t run away from his toxic plans to slash Social Security and Medicare. Rogers wants to slash Social Security and transform Medicare into a voucher program, which would rip away benefits Michiganders worked a lifetime to earn and spike health care costs. 

“Mike Rogers wants to slash Social Security and Medicare which would rip away benefits that Michiganders have worked a lifetime to earn. It’s clear that Rogers is only in this race to enrich himself while Michiganders pay the price,” said Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Chan. 

What to know about Mike Rogers’ toxic agenda that puts Michigan seniors last: 

• Rogers stated that “the federal government should ‘rethink what retirement looks like’ and also suggested that the retirement age may need to be increased.”
• Rogers voted for a federal budget plan that would have caused seniors to “spend more out-of-pocket on healthcare expenses.” 
• Rogers voted for legislation to “limit prescription drug benefits for Medicare recipients.”

See also: The Gander: GOP Senate candidates’ records suggest they’d back cuts to Social Security and Medicare. 

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The post REMINDER: Mike Rogers Puts Seniors Last, Wants to Rip Away Michiganders’ Hard-Earned Benefits by Slashing Social Security and Medicare appeared first on Michigan Democratic Party.

Salon highlights the dangers of these extremist, Turning Point USA candidates trying to infiltrate the Michigan state House, starting with Rylee Linting in HD-27

LANSING — In case you missed it, late last week, Salon highlighted the dangerous, far-right candidate running for the Michigan state House in HD-27, Rylee Linting. A Charlie Kirk protégée, Linting represents the dangerous threat these Turning Point USA extremists pose to Michiganders and their rights. 

Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA peddles radical positions that are wildly out of step with Michiganders — from abortion bans with no exceptions to big tax cuts for billionaires. Linting is running to unseat state Rep. Jamie Churches, a champion for the middle class who has delivered for her district on the issues they care about most — instead of pushing an unpopular MAGA agenda at them. 

Over the past two years, Michigan Dems in the state House have passed historic legislation to protect reproductive rights, support Michigan students, and lower costs. If elected, Turning Point USA candidates like Linting could block all future progress while dragging Michiganders back decades. 

Check out more from Salon’s report below: 

Salon: “We’ve seen this with the Federalist Society”: Turning Point’s effort to “infiltrate state capitols”

•  Turning Point USA is pushing to transform itself from a right-wing campus activism organization into an incubator for Republican candidates, with a slate of Turning Point-affiliated candidates seeking public office in the 2024 elections. In Michigan’s 27th state House District, Rylee Linting, the youth vice chair of the state GOP, is running in the hopes of flipping a seat in the state’s narrowly divided legislature…
• There is something notable about Linting’s candidacy, however. She is just 22 years old and has a background as a professional activist at Turning Point Action, the 501(c)(4) — often called a “dark money” group — associated with activist Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA. And, she’s not alone: Rylee is one of a crop of Turning Point-affiliated candidates seeking elected office this year…
• Behind the aesthetics of youth, however, Turning Point candidates are among the most conservative Republicans. Smith was one of the Arizona Republicans who voted to keep the state’s 1864 abortion ban in place earlier this year. Luna co-sponsored legislation introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green R-Ga., to impeach a slate of Biden Cabinet officials.
• Democratic Michigan state Sen. Darrin Camilleri, who represents a district that overlaps with the suburban Detroit district where Linting is running, said in an interview that the strong focus on cultural conservatism demonstrates that Linting is a “really strange” decision in a race to represent a downriver community. 
• “We have crumbling infrastructure. We need to continue to support our police officers and our firefighters. We need to continue to invest in jobs on the Detroit waterfront,” Camilleri said. “The other thing that’s really fascinating about her campaign is that she’s running as a staunch anti-abortion candidate when regular voters downriver are pro-choice…”
• “They are finding candidates that have zero qualifications but are willing to parrot right-wing talking points and are using them to infiltrate state capitols,” Camilleri said. “We’ve got to do all that we can to stop them because if they find success here in Michigan they’re going to take it all over the nation…”
• “We’ve seen this with the Federalist Society where they are trying to push their right-wing judges from the local level to the Supreme Court. This is their attempt to do that with the candidate pipeline,” Camilleri said. “They were successful with the Supreme Court, we need to make sure they’re not successful with candidates in the political system.”

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The post ICYMI: Salon Highlights Dangerous Turning Point USA Candidate Running for Key MI State House Seat appeared first on Michigan Democratic Party.

Michiganders across the state “blast” Rogers who “will do anything to enrich himself even when it hurts working families”

LANSING — Following the Bridge Michigan report on Mike Rogers’ work in Congress as a “leading advocate for greater access to pain medications, which are typically variations of opioids,” Michiganders across the state are “blast[ing]” Rogers for as he “continually sidesteps questions,” “tries to shift the blame,” and “refus[es] any accountability.”

Take a look at what Michiganders are saying about Rogers who “is only in this race for himself, not the residents of Michigan:”

• Devon Corley, Ann Arbor resident: “While he was in Congress, Rogers took hundreds of thousands of dollars from drug companies and worked on bills that helped fuel the opioids epidemic. Rogers bragged about being a ‘champion’ for the same drug companies now paying billions of dollars in national opioid settlements, Michigan families had to pay the price.”

• Jeanne Ruzzin, Oak Park resident: “In fact, Rogers admits they consider him ‘a champion’ for their cause. His words, not mine. He received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from the same greedy drug companies that are now paying billions in settlements. When asked about his pro-opioid bills in Congress, Rogers continually sidesteps questions and tries to shift the blame to doctors, refusing any accountability.”

• Betsy Westhoff, Sawyer resident: “Back when Mike Rogers was in Congress, he took hundreds of thousands of dollars from the drug industry and spent a decade working to boost opioid prescriptions.Rogers didn’t help stop the opioid crisis. In fact, he worked to exacerbate it, so he could enrich himself even when it hurts Michigan families. We must elect a senator who stands up for families and fights to keep us safe. It’s clear that Rogers is only in this race for himself, not the residents of Michigan.”

See for yourself: 

A2 Independent [LTE]: Republican Senate Candidate Mike Rogers Puts Michiganders Last

• Mike Rogers, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, puts Michiganders last. His record is clear – Rogers will do anything to enrich himself even when it hurts working families.
• Take a look at Rogers’ record on opioids. While he was in Congress, Rogers took hundreds of thousands of dollars from drug companies and worked on bills that helped fuel the opioids epidemic. Rogers bragged about being a “champion” for the same drug companies now paying billions of dollars in national opioid settlements, Michigan families had to pay the price.
• So many families have been impacted by the opioid crisis, which has ripped apart communities. We can’t afford to have Rogers represent us in the U.S. Senate.
• While Rogers was in Big Pharma’s pockets, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin took on Big Pharma. Our next senator should be a leader who stands up to protect us. Elissa Slotkin has a proven record of fighting for working families, and I’m proud to support her for the U.S. Senate.

Oakland Press [LTE]: Letters to the Editor: Slotkin will fight the opioid crisis

• Sadly, we’ve endured 27,000 opioid deaths here since the year 2000, the equivalent of wiping a mid-size Michigan city off the map. Beyond the lives lost, the tragedy reverberates for years with everyone who loved those who died.
• For years, Congress played a big part in the epidemic by ignoring data showing opioids were addictive and promoting easy access to pain meds.
• Who led the charge? None other than Mike Rogers, current candidate for U.S. Senate. For a decade, Rogers sponsored and relentlessly pushed bills advocating for increased prescription of opioids, all while cozying up to groups funded by Big Pharma.
• In fact, Rogers admits they consider him “a champion” for their cause. His words, not mine. He received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from the same greedy drug companies that are now paying billions in settlements.
• When asked about his pro-opioid bills in Congress, Rogers continually sidesteps questions and tries to shift the blame to doctors, refusing any accountability.
• Meanwhile, we have another candidate for Senate who is not in the pocket of drug companies. Quite the opposite. As a congresswoman, Elissa Slotkin has taken on Big Pharma, helping pass bills that allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, including lower insulin costs for seniors.
• We can’t afford to have Rogers, who hangs out on yachts and kowtows to lobbyists, as a Senator. Elissa Slotkin will roll up her sleeves and fight for everyday Michiganders in the Senate, just like she did in the House.

Herald-Palladium [LTE]: Rogers’ record with drug industry alarming

• The opioid crisis has devastated families across our state and country. 
• Back when Mike Rogers was in Congress, he took hundreds of thousands of dollars from the drug industry and spent a decade working to boost opioid prescriptions.
• Rogers didn’t help stop the opioid crisis. In fact, he worked to exacerbate it, so he could enrich himself even when it hurts Michigan families.
• We must elect a senator who stands up for families and fights to keep us safe. It’s clear that Rogers is only in this race for himself, not the residents of Michigan.

See also: Bridge Michigan: Mike Rogers vows to fight drug war, but urged opioid access in Congress, Bridge Michigan: Michigan Dems blast Mike Rogers over opioid stance in Congress

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The post What Michiganders Are Saying: Mike Rogers’ “Record with Drug Industry [is] Alarming,” as he “Puts Michiganders Last” appeared first on Michigan Democratic Party.

LANSING — This week, Michigan Dems lifted up the stakes of this election and reminded voters of the truth about Donald Trump Trump and J.D. Vance. As if to highlight exactly how dangerous they would be in the White House, Trump and Vance both visited Michigan this week to spread their extremist, Project 2025 agenda on Wednesday and Friday. 

In between their MAGA mania events, Michigan Dems celebrated absentee ballots being sent out to voters across the state as we officially hit 40 days from the general election. As clerks send thousands of absentee ballots to voters, Michiganders will get to start to make their voices heard in the most important election of our lifetimes and elect Democrats up and down the ballot to protect our fundamental freedoms. 

As we get closer and closer to the election, Michigan Dems are continuing to show up in each and every community to show the stark contrast between the futures that Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offer. We are fired up and we will keep working hard to deliver Michigan for Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz. 

Check out more from the week below: 

First up on the positive side of the week, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes spoke on MSNBC’s The Weekend about the stark contrast between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s economic policies. With fellow Democratic state party Chairs from Arizona and Wisconsin, Chair Barnes highlighted how Harris prioritizes unions and working families while Donald Trump only ever prioritizes himself: 

MSNBC’s The Weekend: How Kamala Harris is rallying key states as voting begins: Dem Party leaders weigh in

On Wednesday, Chair Barnes was in POLITICO, hammering the importance of protecting the Michigan state House and Michigan Dems’ work on the ground to keep it. The MAGA MIGOP is trying hard to steal the majority, but no matter what far-right malarkey they push — Michiganders aren’t buying it: 

POLITICO: Democrats won complete power in Michigan. Republicans are trying to take it away.

• Over the last few years, the MAGA movement fractured the Michigan Republican Party, leaving it saddled with more than half a million dollars in debt, lackluster candidate recruitment, leadership infighting — and physical violence. That dysfunction helped Democrats take complete statewide control in the 2022 midterms for the first time in 40 years…
• Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes said down-ballot Democrats still have a strong top of the ticket via Vice President Kamala Harris, and candidates are seeing full campaign support from Whitmer. 

On Thursday, Dems highlighted absentee ballots being sent out to voters across the state just 40 days before the general election. As Michiganders start to make their voices heard, Chair Barnes uplifted all the hard work Michigan Dems have done to make our elections safer and more inclusive: 

“As ballots hit mailboxes and become available at clerks’ offices, Michiganders will finally have the chance to start making their voices heard in the most important election of our lifetime. Over the past two years, Michigan Democrats have worked hard to expand access to the ballot box so that everyone has the opportunity to partake in our great democracy — all while ensuring the security of our elections.

“Michigan Dems have built a world-class campaign and our volunteers are ready to turn out voters to reject MAGA extremism at every level. We know that Michiganders will elect Vice President Kamala Harris and Democrats up and down the ballot as we once again reject Donald Trump and his MAGA agenda.”

Michigan Dems and Chair Barnes also held Republicans accountable this week, calling out the Trump campaign’s many visits this week from the extremist-in-chief himself Donald Trump to his third party lapdog, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Michigan Dems are always ready to remind voters of the dangers of Trump and his dangerous Project 2025 agenda. 

First on Wednesday, J.D. Vance was peddling Trump’s lies to Michiganders in Traverse City, bringing their extremist nonsense to the Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds. Thankfully, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes made sure to remind voters of the truth: 

WWMT: JD Vance to address crowd in Traverse City shortly

Then, when RFK visited Michigan to try to rally voters around Trump, Chair Barnes was ready to remind voters of his bizarre history, his out of touch positions, and how eagerly he joined Trump’s extremist crusade: 

Detroit News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urges Michigan crowd not to pick his name on presidential ballot

• Lavora Barnes, chairwoman of the Michigan Democratic Party, said Michigan Republicans campaigning with Kennedy showed “just how far they’ve fallen as they use this dangerous, conspiracy theorist to spread lies that are deeply out of step with Michigan values.”
• “Let’s be clear, Donald Trump owns all of RFK Jr.’s baggage whether it’s his dangerous positions on vaccines, his conspiracy theories, or his erratic behavior like staging a bike accident with a dead bear cub in Central Park,” Barnes said.

Finally, on Friday, Chair Barnes called out Trump ahead of his double header visits to Michigan today at Walker and Warren where he spoke about the economy and inflation. Somehow, Trump seemed to forget to mention his string of broken promises when he was in Warren as president that cost the town hundreds of jobs: 

“As President, Trump stood in Warren and promised that no more manufacturing plants would close under his watch, and yet Michiganders watched as the GM factory in Warren shuttered its doors and they lost hundreds of jobs. He has proven that we can’t trust a single thing he says – especially when it comes to putting Michigan jobs first. 

“At the end of the day, Trump will always serve himself and his interests, no matter how it affects anyone else. Thankfully, Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz are champions for the middle class who will take on bad actors gouging Michiganders and continue to bring back the jobs that Trump lost. Michiganders know the difference, and this November, I am confident that they will once again send Trump packing.”

Now, for everyone’s favorite, here are some of the best tweets from this week: 

We’re grateful for all of the hard work of Michigan Dems across the state! We’re excited to keep doing this work next week and through the election. Til then. 

Signing off, 

Michigan Dems

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The post Weekly Roundup: Michigan Dems Reject MAGA Extremism, Highlight Harris-Walz Coalition appeared first on Michigan Democratic Party.

LANSING — Mike Rogers’ motto appears to be “if you can’t beat ‘em, spread conspiracy theories about elections.” His week in review: the Republican party chair is spreading dangerous election conspiracy theories because they’re convinced Rogers can’t win, saying Democrats are “cleaning out the federal vault trying to buy votes,” and telling people that Democrats and independents are “always wrong” but to not tell them that since you need their vote.  

Meanwhile, Michiganders are continuing to blast “Florida man” Rogers on his extreme anti-abortion record and his work leading the charge to increase access to opioids. 

Here’s the latest on Revolving Door Rogers’ rough week: 

• If you can’t beat ‘em, spread conspiracy theories about elections? Mike Rogers and Pete Hoekstra, “the top Michigan Republican” are spreading even more dangerous election conspiracy lies, alleging that Democrats “will steal some votes” in the Senate race. Clearly Republicans don’t think Rogers can win this race… yikes. 

• On today’s Off the Record, Detroit News reporter Craig Mauger pointed out how Hoekstra spread these election conspiracy theories as “he was standing next to Mike Rogers.” Mauger noted that these election skepticism claims are “another major factor in this election for people to keep an eye on.” 

• On top of Hoekstra’s comments, “Rogers has repeatedly cast doubt on the integrity of Michigan’s elections.”

• But wait, there’s even more… lies by Rogers at the expense of our democracy! Rogers accused Democrats of “hav[ing] a machine here” and “cleaning out the federal vault trying to buy votes.” 

• Receipts (voting records) are forever. Michigan leaders sounded the alarm on Mike Rogers’ extensive anti-choice record, his support of a “national abortion ban,” and Rogers saying “he would have voted against legalizing abortion care in Michigan.”

• As someone who has had a life saving abortion, State Senator Rosemary Bayer talked about her experience and how we can’t afford Mike Rogers “who supports dangerous abortion bans.”

• State Senator Stephanie Chang called out Mike Rogers who “can’t hide from his lengthy anti-abortion record that is out of line with Michiganders and would move us back decades.”

• Cassy Jones-McBryde, a reproductive justice advocate who worked to help pass Prop 3, didn’t hesitate saying, “we cannot reward politicians like Mike Rogers with seats in office since they have not proven their commitment to legislating in the interest of the people.” 

• More Michiganders are speaking out against Rogers’ work to boost opioid prescriptions. An Oak Park resident pointed out Rogers “led the charge” for “increased prescription of opioids, all while cozying up to groups funded by Big Pharma.”

• On Rogers’ to-do list: “destroy public schools.” Rogers re-upped his support of his billionaire bestie Betsy DeVos’ plan to gut public education in Michigan. 

• He said the quiet part out loud. At a campaign event, Rogers said independents and Democrats are “always wrong” – but not to tell them since we need their vote. 

• TLDR. On MSNBC, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes summed up the Senate race in a sentence: “Elissa Slotkin is running for U.S. Senate against a Florida man who would ban abortion.”

• Rogers spreading more lies? Likely place for him to be. Rogers spread more “electric vehicle disinformation,” but this “misrepresents the impact EVs are likely to have on the economy,” and research has shown that “producing EVs requires as much labor as producing gas vehicles.”

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The post Revolving Door Rogers’ Rough Week: Mike Rogers and Republicans Spread Election Conspiracy Theories As They Lose Faith In Rogers Winning appeared first on Michigan Democratic Party.

Ahead of his Walker and Warren visits today, Chair Barnes highlights how Trump has failed working Michiganders again and again

LANSING — Today, Trump will visit Walker and Warren to lie about his Project 2025 economic plan. Ahead of his rally and town hall, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes released the following statement: 

“As President, Trump stood in Warren and promised that no more manufacturing plants would close under his watch, and yet Michiganders watched as the GM factory in Warren shuttered its doors and they lost hundreds of jobs. He has proven that we can’t trust a single thing he says – especially when it comes to putting Michigan jobs first. 

“At the end of the day, Trump will always serve himself and his interests, no matter how it affects anyone else. Thankfully, Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz are champions for the middle class who will take on bad actors gouging Michiganders and continue to bring back the jobs that Trump lost. Michiganders know the difference, and this November, I am confident that they will once again send Trump packing.”

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The post STATEMENT: Michigan Dems Chair Slams Trump’s MAGAnomics Misinformation Trip Today appeared first on Michigan Democratic Party.

Pete Hoekstra: “We are afraid that [Democrats] will steal some votes to make sure that [Rogers] doesn’t win.”

LANSING — The Detroit News reported today that Mike Rogers and the “top Michigan Republican” are spreading even more dangerous election conspiracy lies, alleging that Democrats “will steal some votes” in the Senate race. 

The Detroit News notes that Hoekstra’s comments “could shine light on the GOP’s approach to the upcoming election” as Republicans “echo false claims” ahead of the election.

This follows other reports of Rogers “mischaracteriz[ing]” the “voting process for Michiganders” as he casts more “election skepticism,” saying it’s “‘really very concerning for us.’” Rogers has “avoid[ed] discussion about the 2020 vote.” The Washington Post notes that Rogers “told a Detroit News columnist that he expected cheating this fall and Republicans needed ‘an overwhelming win so there’s no question about our victory’” and refuses to “directly address whether he believes Biden won in 2020.” 

“Pete Hoekstra and Michigan Republicans are continuing to spread dangerous election conspiracy theories and undermine our democracy. It’s clear Republican leaders don’t believe Mike Rogers is capable of winning this race on his own, and instead they want to push lies at the expense of Michigan and our democracy,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes. 

Read Detroit News’ reporting on Pete Hoekstra “echo[ing] false claims” about the U.S. Senate election:

Detroit News: Top Michigan Republican already warns of a stolen election

• Pete Hoekstra, chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, told the crowd at a fundraiser Monday that he was concerned Democrats “will steal some votes“ in a potentially close U.S. Senate race this fall, according to a recording obtained by The Detroit News.
• Hoekstra’s comments could shine light on the GOP’s approach to the upcoming election and echoed false claims, from some in the party, of widespread voter fraud after Michigan’s 2020 presidential race, which GOP nominee Donald Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden.
• Multiple election officials described Hoekstra’s claim as false Thursday, and Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, a Democrat, said similar remarks were “unsafe” for election workers and democracy.
• Hoekstra, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers and state House Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, appeared at a fundraiser Monday night in Farmington Hills for the Michigan Republican Party. At the event, Hoekstra said Rogers knows how to win close races, mentioning his 2000 victory in a U.S. House election by 111 votes.
• “We don’t recommend that this cycle,” Hoekstra then said, according to the recording. “If it gets that close, we are afraid that they will steal some votes to make sure that he doesn’t win.”
• It wasn’t clear what Hoekstra was referring to or what evidence he had that Democrats would “steal some votes.”
• During a press conference Thursday, Genesee County Clerk Domonique Clemons said some individuals were alleging the election would be stolen even before people knew who would be on the ballot.
• Clemons noted that election equipment is tested in public before elections and clerks, poll workers from both parties and challengers help ensure the process has integrity.
• “That process here in Michigan is safe. It is secure. And it’s efficient,” Clemons said. “It’s under constant review, constant scrutiny and again, open to the public at every single step.”

See also: Heartland Signal: FACT CHECK: Mike Rogers mischaracterizes voting process for Michiganders without photo IDs, Washington Post: In top races, Republicans try to stay quiet on Trump’s false 2020 claims.

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LANSING — Today, 40 days from the general election, absentee ballots are being sent to voters across the state. Voters will have the opportunity to start making their voices heard as they cast their ballots for candidates at every level. With ballots going out, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes released the following statement: 

“As ballots hit mailboxes and become available at clerks’ offices, Michiganders will finally have the chance to start making their voices heard in the most important election of our lifetime. Over the past two years, Michigan Democrats have worked hard to expand access to the ballot box so that everyone has the opportunity to partake in our great democracy — all while ensuring the security of our elections.

“Michigan Dems have built a world-class campaign and our volunteers are ready to turn out voters to reject MAGA extremism at every level. We know that Michiganders will elect Vice President Kamala Harris and Democrats up and down the ballot as we once again reject Donald Trump and his MAGA agenda.”

For any issues or questions, voters can call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

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