Democratic voters across the state ousted controversial University of Michigan regent Jordan Acker at the party’s endorsement convention.
Civil rights attorney Amir Makled and incumbent regent Paul Brown received the most votes from party delegates.
Acker, a Southfield-based attorney, faced criticism and controversy during his first term as a regent and in the days leading up to the Democratic convention. Messages allegedly sent by Acker show sexual comments about a party strategist and a disparaging message about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a Slack group chat.
A report from The Guardian scrutinized Acker’s relationship with Attorney General Dana Nessel, who charged student protestors demanding the University of Michigan end all of its investments in Israel over the war in Gaza.
Nessel was criticized by left-wing Democrats and other groups like the ACLU Michigan that argued the student protesters were practicing free speech. Nessel was also booed by pro-Palestine party members during a caucus meeting at last year’s February convention.
Acker, who opposed students seeking divestment from Israel, ran on what him and the regents were able to accomplish during his prior term, including reforming how sexual misconduct cases are handled on campus, a neutrality policy on union organizing, and the expansion of the Go Blue Guarantee to Michigan residents whose household incomes are under $125,000, The Michigan Daily reports.
Makled told Michigan Chronicle in an interview Sunday said he’s running to support students and shake up the status quo.
“I want to make sure we’re not lost in the outside noise that’s happening around the outside issues here,” Makled said. “When we saw free speech, DEI, academic freedom and issues of gender affirming care being trampled on, we recognized our liberties were at stake.”
Incumbent trustee Brianna Scott and Kelly Tebay Zemke, the director of Government and External Relations for The Henry Ford Museum, won party endorsements to the Michigan State University Board of Trustees.
Labor attorney Richard Mack and civil rights attorney Shereef Akeel were endorsed by Wayne State University Board of Governors.
Candidates for Wayne State’s Board of Governors include Democratic activist Naz Hussan, Akeel, Mack, and recent Wayne State graduate and activist Jeremiah Wheeler.
Akeel told Michigan Chronicle he’s focused on foreign students affected by President Donald Trump’s policies. In his career as a civil rights attorney, Akeel won cases involving travel bans and religious discrimination.
“Wayne State is the number one university for social mobility,” Akeel said. “Wayne State lifts people up, I’m here to lift people, lift the graduation rate for first generation students. I have five boys. I want them to do better than me.”
Akeel said Democrats must endorse strong candidates
“Wayne State could conceivably run by Republicans,” Akeel said.
Mack, a member of the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party’s executive board, said he wants to use his experience wading through government budgets to help deliver a top-notch education for students, while fairly compensating faculty and staff.
Mack told Michigan Chronicle he would fight to bring fairer wages to Wayne State workers and faculty.
“I am driven to help make WSU more affordable, safe, and connected to the entire state of Michigan,” Mack said.
University of Michigan Republican candidates include Lena Epstein and Michael Schostak. Republican candidates for Michigan State Board of Trustees: Julie Maday, state Sen. Roger Victory, R-Georgetown Township.
The general election is November 2.