04/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/19/2024 16:45
Dems sweep special elections, yet another former MIGOP Speaker brought up on corruption charges
LANSING - This week, Democrats won special elections in the 13th and 25th as voters continued to reject the MAGA MIGOP candidates in a sweeping endorsement of Michigan Dems' track record. As newly elected Mai Xiong and Peter Herzberg head to the House, Michigan Democrats will be able to continue delivering for Michiganders without the MIGOP's partisan temper tantrums standing in the way.
While Michigan Dems won big on Tuesday, the MIGOP took a turn for the worse as the second former MIGOP Speaker over the past year was charged with corruption from their time in office. What's the old saying again? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on the party for consistently supporting politicians who lie and steal from the public that voted for them.
Just last year, Former Speaker Rick Johnson was sentenced to 55 months in prison, and now Lee Chatfield has been charged with counts of embezzlement, larceny, and conspiracy - that could send him to jail for over 20 years.
Like every other week, we're glad we're not the MIGOP.
Lots of things this week! Take a look at the very good and very bad below:
The very good: Democratic candidates Peter Herzberg and Mai Xiong were victorious in two key special elections that made national headlines in the 13th and 25th state House districts - securing the majority in the legislature which will allow Democrats to continue delivering for Michiganders without Matt Hall and his MAGA caucus standing in the way of progress:
Detroit News: Democrats retake majority in state House after Herzberg, Xiong outpace opponents
Bridge Michigan: Democrats retake Michigan House with special election wins
This week, Michigan Dems also made a big down payment on maintaining the state House majority with an impressive $10.5 million in TV reservations across the state, in addition to $8 million in reservations in the Detroit market from Democratic House entities to ensure Michiganders understand the importance of holding majorities in the House and Senate that allowed the passage of crucial legislation on reproductive rights, civil rights, and lower costs:
The Hill: Michigan Democratic Party reserves more than $10M in ads ahead of state House elections
Michigan Democrats don't take days off, so by Thursday, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes joined other upper midwest state party Chairs to show unified Democratic efforts in battleground states:
Chicago Sun-Times: No cracks in Blue Wall? Top Democrats vow Chicago is ready for convention, despite party divisions
And then, the very bad from the week: Attorney General Dana Nessel charged former Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield with 13 embezzlement, conspiracy, and larceny counts after he stole and misused private and public funds to bankroll his lavish lifestyle.
Another one bites the dust. To no one's surprise, this is not the first time a former MIGOP Speaker has faced criminal charges for corruption from his time in office. These deeply troubling patterns have become all too common in the MIGOP as they show once again they are not worthy of holding office at any level:
Detroit Free Press: Ex-Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, wife charged with embezzlement, conspiracy
In the patterns we have come to expect, the MIGOP is mired in corruption while Michigan Dems are showing up for Michiganders to deliver on the issues they care about most. Maybe next week will see a functional, reasonable MIGOP - but we're not holding our breath. Til next week.
Signing off,
Michigan Dems
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