Dems Condemn Theis’ Inflammatory Rhetoric
The chair of the Livingston County Democratic Party Tuesday condemned Sen. Lana Theis for using rhetoric designed to encourage political violence against her opponents.
“Lana Theis is engaging in ‘eliminationist’ rhetoric — that is language that accuses your political opponents of actions so vile that it makes them unworthy of even existing so eliminating them is justified,” said Judy Daubenmier.
“The language she used in her fundraising email is exactly the same that authoritarians throughout history have used to stir up their supporters to political violence. It is beyond the pale in a democracy.
“It is just the latest sign that the crazy conspiracy theories that QANON once promoted on the fringes of politics have gone mainstream in the Republican Party. The looney ideas that Democrats were drinking the blood of children in the basement of a pizza parlor are now part and parcel of the Senate campaign here in Livingston County.
“Please, if there are any sane Republicans left in our county, join me in condemning this descent into lunacy. Eliminationist rhetoric works not because every supporter is roused to political violence but because the majority remain indifferent. Please, Republicans, do not be indifferent to this.”
Daubenmier was reacting to a fundraising email Theis sent out in which she accused Democrats like state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) of being “trolls” and “groomers” that “sexualize” children. “These are the people we are up against,” reads the email titled, “groomers outraged by my invocation.”
That was an escalation of rhetoric Theis had used just last week when she delivered an invocation prior to the Senate session in which she claimed that children are “under attack” from “forces that desire things for them other than what their parents would have them see and hear and know.” She apparently was referring to teaching about LGBTQ+ issues and the history of racism in this country. Her invocation prompted three Democratic state senators to walk out of the session in protest.
Daubenmier joined Michigan Democratic Party chair Lavora Barnes in condemning Theis’ statement.
“Regardless of your political affiliation, everyone should be as disgusted and as outraged as I am that Republican State Senator Lana Theis accused her colleague, State Senator Mallory McMorrow, of wanting to groom and sexualize kindergarteners. This is a sad commentary on how low the GOP is willing to go to try and win. Senator McMorrow is an outstanding advocate for public education, working families, and our most vulnerable citizens. To say or imply anything different is a lie. Senator Theis should be ashamed of herself. The people of Michigan deserve to have honest representation in their legislature. We won’t hold our breath waiting for an apology,” Barnes said in a statement.
Daubenmier said that when Theis says, “these are the people we are up against,” she is implying to her supporters that Democrats right here in Livingston County are groomers of children for pedophilia. “Is that what she meant to say? Did she personally approve this email? Does she stand behind the eliminationist rhetoric in the email? Did she write the email? If not, who wrote it? And will she fire them?” Daubenmier asked.
“About 14 months ago, I thought Lana Theis had sunk as low as she could go when she signed a letter calling on Congress to delay certification of Joe Biden’s election — in violation of her oath of office to defend the Constitution — but it’s clear she hasn’t found the bottom yet.”
Theis is running for re-election in the newly drawn 22nd state Senate district which includes all of Livingston County; Stockbridge, White Oak, and Leroy townships in Ingham County, Argentine and Fenton townships in Genesee County, Antrim and Burns townships in Shiawassee County, and Holly Township in Oakland County.
The only Democrat running is Jordan Genso of Brighton.
(Paid for by Livingston County Democratic Executive Committee, 8028 Grand River, Woodland Plaza Suite 7, Brighton, MI 48114. Labor donated.)
