The Michigan Republican Party chairman called the top female Democratic officials of the state “witches” and joked about murdering members of the GOP congress who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump. Ron Weiser made both comments on camera during a Thursday meeting with a local Republican club.
Weiser responded to questions from the public in the North Oakland Republican Club about the impeachment of US representatives Fred Upton and Peter Meijer, two Michigan Republicans who voted in favor of Mr Trump’s second impeachment. Weiser told the crowd the only way to change leadership was “get out and vote,” and said his first priorities were other races in Michigan.
“We are focused on the three witches,” Weiser said, adding that he was also in the process of winning Republican majorities in the House and Senate of the state.
The “witches” comment refers to three female leaders who are all eligible for reelection in 2022: Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. All three are Democrats and became GOP targets for their opposition to Mr. Trump and his attempts to reverse his defeat in Michigan.
Whitmer, in particular, has been subject to misogyny criticism of her handling of COVID-19 restrictions. She was also reportedly the target of an unsuccessful one kidnapping plot.
Some in the audience pushed back on Weiser’s response, demanding answers on how to deal with “witches in our own company.”
“Other than murder, I have no other way than to vote, okay?” Weiser responded. “You people have to go out and support their opponents. You have to do what you need to to get votes in those areas. That’s how you beat people.”
Weiser also called the women “witches” in another section of his comment, saying that the Republicans “wanted to soften those three witches and make sure we have good candidates to act against them, that they are ready for the blaze. the stake. “
The Detroit News first covered the comments and released a video of the event.
Weiser is a member of the University of Michigan Board of Regents, and according to the Detroit Free Press, at least two members have said he should step down because of the comments. Both called his comment about the female politicians sexist.
“This language and behavior are incompatible with service at the University of Michigan,” said Jordan Acker, a member of the Democratic Regents. wrote on Twitter. “Given that the only appropriate response, and the best thing for the University of Michigan, is that Ron Weiser is resigning.”
Whitmer’s press secretary Bobby Ledd cited recent death threats against elected Michigan officials while condemning Weiser’s comments.
“This kind of rhetoric is destructive and downright dangerous,” she said in a statement.
Nessel, the attorney general, responded with a tweet depicting her, Whitmer and Benson with witch hats on their heads over a Halloween backdrop.
“Witches magically reducing the spread of Covid, increasing its turnout and holding sexual predators to account without any help from the legislature?” she wrote. Sign me up for those coven. Do it better, Michigan GOP. ‘
CBS News has contacted Weiser and the Michigan Republican Party for comment. A Weiser spokesperson told The Associated Press that Weiser’s comments made it clear that he supports the primary process of choosing GOP nominees, but did not address the “witches” comment.