press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Progress Michigan

May 4, 2021

Contact: Sam Inglot, (616) 916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org

Add Rank Hypocrisy to List of Ron Weiser Transgressions

MIGOP hypocrisy allows privately funded police departments, but not election administration 

MICHIGAN – After the Petoskey City Council voted 3-2 to accept a donation from serial inciter of misogyny and political violence Ron Weiser, who is also co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Progress Michigan is calling attention to the blatant hypocrisy on display. While Weiser is supporting plans to roll back voting rights across the state – which includes a ban on donations to help with election administration – he’s also trying to use his wealth to buy favor by donating $42,400 to the city’s public safety department to purchase body cameras. 

“While the city council should never have accepted a donation from Ron Weiser, who has prominently used sexist and violent political rhetoric, what’s truly appalling is the rank hypocrisy on display here,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “While body cameras are an important tool to combat police violence, it is unacceptable that a wealthy donor can buy favor by donating police body cameras while at the same time working to prohibit donors from giving money to promote safe and secure elections. Republicans have spent over a decade gutting funding for local units of government and no donation from their rich party chair can change that.” 

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