DETROIT — Members of the University of Michigan board of regents are calling for fellow regent Ron Weiser to resign after comments he made Thursday in his role as the head of the Michigan Republican Party
During a political event in Oakland County, Weiser called Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson "witches" and referenced calling elected women "witches" and the GOP needs to make sure "they are ready for the burning at the stake."
He also referenced the concept of assassination when asked about what Republicans could do about Reps. Peter Meijer and Fred Upton, GOP congressman who voted in favor of impeaching former President Donald Trump.
“Other than assassination, I have no other way other than voting them out, OK?" Weiser states, as people laugh, according to video of the meeting posted to Facebook.
"You people have to go out there and support their opponents. You have to do what you need to get out the vote in those areas. That's how you beat people."
The statements came months after the FBI and state authorities thwarted an alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. At least some of those accused of playing a role in the plot are from Lake Orion and Clarkston, located in northern Oakland County. Meijer and Upton also faced a deluge of death threats after their impeachment votes.
Regents Mark Bernstein and Jordan Acker said Weiser's statements were dangerous, disgusting and beneath a leader of the university.
"His reference to Governor Whitmer, Attorney General Nessel and Secretary of State Benson as 'the three witches' is blatantly sexist. Suggesting that the work of a political party should enable burning these three women at the stake is even worse," Bernstein said in a phone interview.
"Our job as regents is to be responsible stewards of the University of Michigan. In doing so we must protect democracy, honor public service and support our students. Regent Weiser has failed to do so. Our university and the people of this state deserve better. He should resign."
Acker echoed those comments in a series of tweets Friday afternoon.
"Comments about removal by 'assassination' are a literal attack on our democracy, and are incredibly dangerous in light of the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol And the FBI-thwarted attacks on our governor. Furthermore, sexist language referring to the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state as 'witches' has no place on our campus. This language and behavior is incompatible with service to the University of Michigan," Acker tweeted.
"Given that, the only appropriate response, and the best thing for the University of Michigan, is for Ron Weiser to resign."
Board Chair Denise Ilitch condemned Weiser's comments but did not go so far as to call for him to step down.
"Despite any differences among (the board's) eight members elected by the state’s voters, we have worked constructively on advancing the institution without destructive politics getting in the way," Ilitch said.
"That is why it is so disturbing to learn of the repugnant language used by a member of our board when addressing a political group. His use of violent imagery crosses a line that is inconsistent with what should be our shared values. There should be no place for physical threats by elected or political leaders on our board or in our state."
A spokesman for University of Michigan president Mark Schlissel declined to comment.
Ted Goodman, a Republican party spokesman, did not directly answer Free Press questions about the words used by Weiser during the event.
"If you listen in context, he was making it very clear that it is up to the voters to determine the nominees of the Republican Party, and to suggest anything else is dishonest and irresponsible," Goodman said.
Whitmer, Nessel, Benson and others all condemned the statement on Friday while poking fun at Weiser on social media.
"Witches who magically decrease Covid spread, increase voter turnout and hold sexual predators accountable without any help from the legislature? Sign me up for that coven. Do better, Michigan GOP," Nessel said on Twitter, including a graphic with Whitmer, Benson and herself wearing witches hats.
Weiser was recently elected the leader of the Michigan Republican Party, after having served in the role in the past. He defeated Laura Cox, the former party chair. After Cox said she would not seek the position again, she mounted a last-minute campaign to thwart Weiser and co-chair Meshawn Maddock from winning.
In a tweet, Maddock defended Weiser and attacked the media.
"Too bad all the snowflakes in the mainstream media see misogyny where it doesn't exist. Calling someone a witch is NOT misogynist," Maddock tweeted.
