Two local politicians are making headlines nationwide for their very different levels of acceptance of the November presidential election. Michigan’s Electoral College gave all sixteen votes to Biden on Monday.
State Representative Gary Eisen, a Republican from St. Clair Township was accused of publicly hinting at violence in response to Michigan’s Electoral College Meeting and spoke of a “hail Mary” strategy. He was quickly stripped of his committee assignments by Republican leadership, who urged acceptance of the outcome of the election.
Eisen issued a statement saying he regrets the confusion over his statement and that while the group that he was then affiliated with had peaceful intentions, he couldn’t speak for other groups.
U.S. Representative Paul Mitchell, of the 10th District, disaffiliated himself from the Republican Party in disgust over much of the party’s refusal to concede the election to Biden. In a letter to Republican leadership that he posted on Twitter, Mitchell expressed his history of loyalty to Trump with both his voting record and his fundraising, but that leaders need to accept both winning and losing. With his term winding down, Mitchell admitted his new status as an independent is largely symbolic, but to quote him, “we all know that symbols matter”.
State Representative Gary Eisen today released the following statement:
“I regret the confusion over my comments this morning, and I want to assure everyone that those of us who are supporting an alternative slate of electors intend to do so peacefully and legally. I wanted to attend today’s event to help prevent violence, not promote it. I no longer plan to go to the Capitol with that group today.
“My comments were meant to reflect that while our group intends to be peaceful, I did not feel I could speak for other groups. Apparently some people are making credible threats of violence today, and I am glad local law enforcement is on the scene preventing any such action and keeping everyone safe. Our group, who will also be at the Capitol today to request to be seated as electors, intends to participate in our democracy peacefully. We are all concerned about safety today and hopeful for a safe, legal and clear process at the Capitol.”
Link to U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell’s letter: https://twitter.com/RepPaulMitchell/status/1338599898141356034/photo/1
