LANSING, Mich. (April 18, 2022) — Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) has issued the following statement regarding a fundraising email sent by Republican Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) that used untrue and disrespectful language regarding her fellow senators:

“I am appalled by the inappropriate insults and accusations coming from the Republican Party as they continue to neglect holding their own party accountable for inappropriate conduct. While Democrats work to promote inclusion in classrooms and allow our children to be who they are and to be loved, Michigan Republicans have made it clearer than ever before that they remain opposed to recognizing LGBTQ children and teaching all students the truth about our history. Words matter, and this dangerous rhetoric only serves to harm those who are the most vulnerable.

“All this is happening while a former Republican legislative leader faces sexual assault allegations and used state resources to fuel his inappropriate behavior, and a sitting Republican senator was convicted of misdemeanor sexual assault. The Michigan Republican Party has completely failed to hold their own accountable for unethical or improper behavior.

“For Sen. Theis to use her political position to raise campaign money by preying on the vulnerability of people’s children is truly disappointing and despicable.

“This incident represents the worst of politics today. Michiganders elected us to serve and they expect us to be much better. I implore my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to take a good, long, hard look in the mirror and ask who it is they are working for, because it is clearly not the people of Michigan.”

###