Weekly Roundup: While Dems Stand in Unity, Republicans Continue to Implode

Michigan Dems make the case for 2024 through Roe anniversary and State of the State, while MAGA Matt exemplifies the danger of the GOP

LANSING — Now that the Oscar nominations have dropped, Michigan Democrats are releasing our own list of winners (and losers) today. The awards this season are “Most Dedicated to Reproductive Rights,” “Worst Party Chair,” “Strongest Leader,” and “Least Fit to Lead.” 

With another full week of continued messy drama for the MIGOP, contrasted with Democratic leaders fighting for Michigan, these were not easy decisions to make – especially with so many flops to choose from on the GOP side.

As MAGA Matt Hall tries – and fails – to lead a continuously fracturing caucus and numerous new potential MIGOP Chairs emerge, Michigan Dems have worked hard and stayed focused on what matters: building a brighter future for all Michiganders.

Take a look at this season’s award winners below: 

First up, the award for “Most Dedicated to Reproductive Rights” goes to … The Michigan Democratic Party!!

With Monday’s press conference commemorating the 51st anniversary of Roe v Wade and outlining the stakes for 2024, we made it clear that Democrats from Washington to Lansing will fight for abortion access until every person has the reproductive freedom that they deserve. Check out the coverage of our press conference below: 

Fox 17 News: 51 Years Since Landmark Roe V. Wade Decision 

WZZM 13: ‘The work starts now’: MI lawmakers, activists reflect on 51st anniversary of now-repealed Roe v. Wade, prepare next steps

Next up, we have the award for the “Worst Party Chair,” and believe us, the MIGOP has given us plenty of “Chairs” to choose from. 

First, we have Kristina Karamo, who has claimed “undisputed” leadership, challenged by Malinda Pego, who was banned from Karamo’s GOP for 5 years, and now recently elected Pete Hoekstra, who has shady international business connections, has thrown his hat in the ring. 

The winner is … a three-way tie!! Check out our statement on their disastrous attempts at leadership below: 

ABC 7

Our third award of the night is the “Strongest Leader”. 

We have so many incredible leaders in our party who are working together to make life better for countless Michiganders, but in honor of her exemplary State of the State speech, the award goes to … Governor Whitmer!

Governor Whitmer’s address this past Wednesday made it clear that the Democrats have the kind of strong leader that the MIGOP could only hope for: 

Fox 17: Governor Whitmer delivers 2024 State of the State address

  • The Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes released the following statement about Governor Whitmer’s State of the State address: “The Whitmer-Gilchrist administration and Michigan Democrats are once again proving that they will fight for the needs of all Michiganders, especially when it comes to lowering housing costs, investing in education and leading a national manufacturing renaissance. While Democrats are giving everyone the opportunity to make it in Michigan, Republicans are doing everything they can to stand in the way of progress.
  • “Michigan Republicans have spent the last year embroiled in one controversy after another, with nothing to show for it, abandoning their constituents in favor of right-wing conspiracy theories and extremism. They are dead-set on implementing a MAGA agenda that will fail our state instead of creating a future that uplifts all Michiganders. While the Michigan GOP refuses to come to the table and to deliver for our people, Democrats will continue to serve our great state and get the job done, no matter what.”

The last award is the “Least Fit to Lead” award, and this might be the toughest choice yet. 

The MIGOP is chock full of good candidates for this one, but ultimately, the award goes to … MAGA Matt Hall! 

Allegations of intimate partner violence have been stacking up against MAGA Matt, and it is becoming clear he is not fit to serve Michiganders as the Minority “Leader” in the House. In response to these allegations, just this week, advocates across the state called for a House Ethics Committee investigation into his thoroughly concerning behavior, and now even his own caucus is questioning his abilities and morals:

The Gander: Michigan leaders demand investigation of ‘disturbing’ behavior from top Republican

  • According to a letter obtained this week by The ‘Gander’, a group of 10 Michigan women are now calling on the state House of Representatives to launch a formal investigation into Hall’s “violent and disturbing behavior,” figure out why he wasn’t charged with a crime in 2019, and then determine whether he should be booted from office over the alleged domestic assault.
  • “Domestic violence is wrong. Plain and simple. As leaders in this State, we have a shared duty to demonstrate that violent behavior towards an intimate partner will never be tolerated—and to build a community where everyone, and especially women, can feel safe,” the letter states.

Fox 2 Detroit: House minority leader Matt Hall asked to step down amid domestic violence allegations

  • Now, Republican State Rep. Jim DeSana of Wyandotte is calling on Hall to step down.
  • “Our caucus would not have elected Matt Hall as our leader had we known this,” DeSana said. “I think it’s a basic question of honesty. This report came out and we got factual information on the report and the facts are completely different than what Matt has told us.”
  • The Daily Beast quotes a document from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and reports that Hall and his girlfriend were driving to Indiana when he “became angry and smashed her phone screen.”

Along with GOP Rep. Aric Nesbitt, MAGA Matt held a quasi-press “event” ahead of Governor Whitmer’s State of the State, where they peddled delusions and conspiracies about both parties. At this event, he was directly asked about the police report that detailed an incident where he smashed his girlfriend’s phone. Naturally, Hall proceeded to run out of the room. We think Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes said it best:

“If Matt Hall wants to be a leader, he should spend more time getting his own house in order and less time opposing the overwhelmingly popular agenda that the Governor and our Democratic legislature have passed. Michigan Democrats have been fighting for one overarching thing for the last year – a brighter future for all Michiganders – but somehow, at every turn, Matt Hall has stood in the way of progress and bowed to the most extreme factions of his party. It’s more clear than ever that Republicans have no plan for Michigan, they will just keep on their chaotic downward spiral.”

Distill Social

To really put a nail in the coffin, MAGA Matt led his caucus to sit silently while Gov. Whitmer rattled off Democrats’ incredible accomplishments on Wednesday, including our successful work to feed thousands of Michigan school children, lower costs, and support the middle class. MAGA Matt Hall and his caucus couldn’t even muster a clap in support of the Lions! Check out how unenthusiastic Matt and the rest of his caucus were in our Twitter thread:

Clearly, Republicans don’t understand Michiganders at all. Thankfully, we’re here to pick up the slack and put in the work. Hope everyone has a great weekend, and GO LIONS!

Signing off, 

Michigan Dems

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