LANSING — Last night’s 19-point victory for Democratic candidate Chedrick Greene in the 35th Senate District special election is a “direct sign of momentum” for Michigan Democrats, a huge warning sign for the Republican candidates for governor, and a looming disaster for MAGA-funded candidate Mike Duggan, who has staked his campaign on cowering to Donald Trump and spewing right-wing talking points about Michigan Democrats.
After yesterday’s results, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
“Michigan Democrats are fired up and ready to win—just look at last night’s double-digit margin in a bellwether district for more proof. Across SD-35, voters turned out in historic fashion and overwhelmingly backed Democrat Chedrick Greene because he’s laser-focused on lowering costs and delivering for working people.
“As we look ahead to November, these results and the historic Democratic turnout are a flashing red light for Mike Duggan, John James, and Perry Johnson in the race for governor.
“While Donald Trump and Republicans make life more expensive, Duggan has centered his campaign on spewing right-wing talking points about Michigan Democrats, tied himself to harmful positions like defending Trump’s Medicaid cuts, and cowered on Trump’s harmful policies that will define the governor’s race this fall.
“Let’s be perfectly clear: Mike Duggan has no path to victory. His campaign is a self-serving ego trip that has not gained any traction among voters and a multi-million dollar ad blitz has not moved his numbers. As Duggan languishes in last place, Democrats are energized and momentum is on our side.
“Meanwhile, John James and Perry Johnson both campaigned heavily in SD-35, with James peddling 2020 election conspiracy theories while on the trail and both candidates standing by Trump’s cost-raising agenda. Their efforts failed.
“This November, Michigan Democrats will win the race for governor because our Democratic nominee will be on the side of working families when it comes to lowering costs, improving education, expanding healthcare, and standing up to the GOP-led chaos in DC.”
BACKGROUND
- DUGGAN ON ROAD TO NOWHERE: Duggan has alienated himself from key sectors of the electorate and struggled to gain traction among voters, with polling consistently showing him in a distant third place. Duggan’s wealthy allies have desperately spent at least $11 million in recent months attempting to boost his campaign, but their efforts have fallen flat.
- Polling has consistently shown Duggan with no movement and still in a distant last place, and a recent poll from Michigan State University even showed Duggan struggling mightily in regions across the state, including in the Tri-Cities area where last night’s special election occurred.
- Duggan’s campaign strategy has left many “scratching their heads” as he’s been “echoing conservative rhetoric,” launched one-sided attacks towards Democrats, and even complained about Rick Snyder’s harmful policies being repealed. Duggan has defended Trump’s cuts to Medicaid and deflected questions about Trump’s toxic tax law while his campaign is being funded by MAGA donors and prominent Republicans.
- GOP CANDIDATES STAND BEHIND TRUMP: As gas prices are rising and grocery prices are up, the Republican candidates for governor have been standing behind Donald Trump’s harmful agenda and deeply unpopular policies.
- John James said recently that “President Trump’s on the right track” when asked about rising gas prices. James has voted to protect Trump’s cost-raising tariffs, voted for Trump’s price-hiking tax law that cut Medicaid and failed to extend the ACA tax credits, and also voted against a bipartisan bill that would’ve extended the ACA tax credits.
- Perry Johnson has praised Trump’s tax law and called it “a win for America and a big win for Michigan,” even as it’s caused prices to rise and gutted Medicaid. Johnson is also blitzing the airwaves with ads featuring pictures of him and Trump.
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