FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
February 10, 2021
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
Michigan Donors Should Cut Ties with Shady Shirkey
Shirkey’s latest comments prove once again that he’s not fit to lead
MICHIGAN – On Wednesday morning, Progress Michigan Deputy Director Sam Inglot confronted Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey outside a fundraiser in downtown Lansing, asking if the senator has any plans to resign after his latest round of dangerous, inappropriate comments.
In the video, Shirkey says he has no plans to resign, and that while he knows the January 6 insurrection happened, he believes the idea of Trump being responsible for it is a “hoax.” Shirkey declined to comment on his baseless claim that Michigan had 15,000 fake votes in the 2020 election. The event he was attending was sponsored by ABC of Michigan, GCSI 21st Century PAC, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, MI Society of Anesthesiologists, DTE Energy, and Midwest Strategy Group.
“It’s been clear for years that Mike Shirkey is not fit to hold public office, let alone serve in leadership—but his comments this week may be a new low,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “In the space of one meeting, he endorsed baseless conspiracy theories, made an inappropriate sexist comment, and discussed challenging the governor to a fistfight. If Mike Shirkey had any interest in accountability, he would resign immediately and take full responsibility for his appalling conduct, but we all know that’s unlikely. Instead, we’re calling on the donors who have bankrolled his campaigns to pull their donations and disavow his behavior.”
Several photos (included below) show multiple attendees of the indoor event, including Sens. Jim Stamas and Curt Vanderwall, without masks. Progress Michigan plans to file a complaint with the Ingham County Health Department over their clear violation of COVID health orders.
“Republicans may be able to allow their members to violate mask orders in the Capitol, but private businesses, even lobby firms who donate money to keep lackluster leaders like Shirkey in power, are not above the law. We hope the Ingham County Health Department sanctions those in attendance and the lobby firm for hosting a potential superspreader event,” Scott Continued.
Not long after this video was taken, Shirkey was caught on a hot mic doubling down on his statement.
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