Yesterday, Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon admitted full data on the state’s nursing home crisis is still unavailable. However, the current data shows that at least 23% of Michigan’s COVID-19 fatalities have been nursing home residents. The Whitmer administration has received increased bipartisan criticism due to their failure to accurately track and report cases among patients and workers in nursing home facilities, which have become “COVID Hubs”. However, Michigan Senator Gary Peters has so far remained silent on the issue. “As a Senator, Gary Peters has a responsibility to stand up to Governor Whitmer and get her to report this critical data.” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. “Standing by while these facilities become the latest collateral damage in Whitmer’s mishandling of the COVID crisis is simply not an option. Yet, like on most issues that involve a fellow Democrat, Gary Peters is silent. The nursing home patients and employees deserve better. Their families and friends deserve better. Michigan deserves better.”   More >

Today, in shocking testimony given to a special Michigan Senate Committee, Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon revealed that at least 23% of Michigan’s COVID-19 fatalities were nursing home residents. Even more shocking, is the fact that the figure given will likely grow due to 13% of the state’s nursing home facilities failing to report. In recent weeks, the Whitmer administration has come under fire for its underreporting of nursing home figures as well as its treatment of nursing home residents. Until May 20, infected residents were moved into nursing homes with non-infected residents who were highly susceptible to the COVID-19 virus. As Deadline Detroit reporter Charlie LeDuff said in a recent article, “The most vulnerable among us are being hauled around like laundry bags in the midst of a pandemic.” “While Governor Whitmer plays politics all over national television, her administration is tragically failing the state’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. Cox continued, “While she has tried to deflect blame, it is clear that her decision to have COVID-19 positive seniors recover in nursing homes with vulnerable non-infected residents had devastating consequences. I applaud the Michigan Senate for trying to get to the bottom of this tragedy.”   More >

Since the coronavirus outbreak has hit the state, millions of Michiganders have been laid off as businesses have been forced to close and shutter. With over 20% of Michigan’s workforce out of work, the state is seeing historic levels of hardship. Recently the state has had to move forward with temporary lay-offs and furloughs. The response has put an unprecedented burden on the state of Michigan – soon to face a $3.2 billion shortfall. As Michiganders are struggling, Gary Peters is double-dipping into taxpayer dollars. While Peters is receiving his $174,000 annual salary for being a sitting U.S. Senator – he also continues to collect around $50,000 a year in state pension, with an annual 4% increase from his time in the state legislature. Across the country, those who hold office or seeking to do so have focused on giving back to the community. Combat veteran and Detroit businessman, John James, launched his “Nickel Promise,” which has been helping those in the community since day one of his campaign. “Leaders eat last, and during these difficult times, Gary Peters has once again proven that he is no leader for Michigan,” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. “Now more than ever, our state needs support from Washington, and Gary Peters is unable to deliver. As a job creator and through his ‘Nickle Promise,’ John James has done more for the people of Michigan than Gary Peter has in his decades-long political career, and I can’t wait to see him elected this... More >

Today, Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox called on Governor Gretchen Whitmer to honor her 2018 campaign pledge to open the Michigan Executive Office of the Governor (EOG) to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The action comes after Bridge Magazine revealed emails showing that members of the EOG signed off on COVID-19 tracing contracts, which were given to a partisan Democrat political firm. The emails also show that the Whitmer team attempted to blunt political blowback by switching the deals to non-political entities owned by the same Democrat contractors. In addition to the Whitmer teams mishandling of the COVID-19 tracing contracts, Whitmer has made several claims which could not be substantiated, and which Whitmer refused to verify, or that were proven false. In March, Whitmer claimed that the Trump administration was not aiding Michigan when, in fact, the Governor simply failed to file for Federal disaster assistance. Whitmer also accused the Trump administration of forcing contractors to divert supplies from the state of Michigan. However, Whitmer refused to name a single company that participated in such a conspiracy and dropped the matter when pressed. “It’s become abundantly clear that Governor Gretchen Whitmer is actively seeking the 2nd highest office in the land, yet she has repeatedly misled the people of Michigan.” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. Cox continued, “The American people deserve to know who Gretchen Whitmer really is and how she makes decisions. The time has come to learn the truth. Therefore, I am calling upon... More >

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer confirmed that her husband, Marc Mallory, told a Northern Michigan business owner, "I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?". The incident happened after Mallory was informed that the business owner would not be able to put the couple’s leisure boat into the water due to a three-week backlog of requests due to Whitmer’s lockdown. Whitmer's defense of her husband was that he, "made a failed attempt at humor". "Using your wife's political office to score favors is not a laughing matter.", said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. Cox continued, "How many times has Governor Whitmer's husband told this 'joke' to gain special favors from businesses? The only joke here is that Governor Whitmer doesn’t seem to understand how serious it is for a family member to misuse your office, however as a member of Biden crew such behavior seems to be the norm.”   More >

Senator Vows to Hold China Accountable, Even After Praising CCP and Missing 16 of 18 Congressional Hearings On This Issue Back in February, Senator Gary Peters lauded the country responsible for the spread of COVID-19 due to their early lack of action. Peters joined Morning Joe on MSNBC praising China’s handling of the coronavirus, specifically Hubei province. Michigan’s junior senator went as far as to say that the United States should follow in China’s footsteps – even after the Chinese government falsified case numbers, denied responsibility for the virus, and covered up their responsibility by punishing whistleblowers. “We saw that in China. Outside of Hubei province, a lot of the factories continued to work. They separated employees. They had partitions and found ways to continue to keep some of the economy going in parts of the country that weren’t impacted as much as it was in Hubei. We have to do the same thing. Thinking strategically. Dealing with the disease and maintaining our economy, so when we do get through it, it can come back up fairly quickly,” Since receiving criticism for that statement, Peters seems to have had a change of heart on China. Peters has now started running TV ads claiming he has held China accountable and will end US dependency on Chinese production – something combat veteran and Detroit business owner John James called for while Peters was propping up the country responsible for the virus’ spread. Despite his claims to be tough on China, Peters has... More >

Last night, the Detroit News reported allegations that Governor Gretchen Whitmer's husband Marc Mallory attempted to use his wife's office to gain a special favor from a Northern Michigan business owner. When told that the company would not be able to place the couple's leisure boat into the water due to a backlog caused by Whitmer's shutdown, Mallory allegedly responded, "I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?". The shocking allegations come after Whitmer spent last week encouraging Michiganders to forgo unnecessary trips to the region, stating in a press conference, "If you don't live in one of the regions think long and hard before you travel to one of those regions.". Additionally, Crains Magazine reported, "The governor also discouraged downstate residents from traveling Up North this weekend." Quoting Whitmer as saying, "Don't descend on Traverse City from all regions of the state." Thus far, Whitmer's administration has not denied the allegations as Whitmer spokesperson Tiffany Brown stated she wouldn't address, "every rumor that is spread online." "Apparently, Gretchen Whitmer is a perfect fit for the Biden ticket. After all, both have immediate family members who try to use their political office to gain special favors." said Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox, referencing Joe Biden's son, Hunter, who allegedly was hired to the board of a Ukrainian energy company due to his father’s role as Vice President. Cox continued, "There can't be two sets of rules, one for the people of Michigan and another for... More >

In recent days the Detroit News and Bridge Magazine have published stories about Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s lawsuit against the owner of the Edenville Dam, which tragically failed on Tuesday forcing thousands to evacuate their homes because of the floods. Nessel's suit called for water to be added to Wixom Lake over the objection of the dam's owner, who was concerned more water could lead to the dam’s failure. Nessel wanted more water added to promote the safety of freshwater mussels, which she alleged were being damaged by the low water levels.  These shocking new facts have led Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox to call on Nessel to recuse her office from the investigation of the Edenville Dam tragedy and transfer the inquiry to federal authorities. Cox also called on Governor Gretchen Whitmer to rescind her executive order blocking Freedom of Information Act Requests (FOIA) during the COVID-19 crisis so that members of the press can do their due diligence and examine the state's role in the tragedy. "I am heartbroken by the devastation that has affected so many families in Mid-Michigan, and my prayers are with them as they begin the recovery process." said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. Cox continued, "With these troubling new revelations that the state's lawsuits may have played a role in this tragedy, it is clear that Attorney General Dana Nessel should not lead this investigation. Therefore, the Michigan Republican Party calls for the Attorney General to turn over the investigation... More >

The University of Delaware currently possesses documents from Joe Biden’s time in the U.S. Senate that could shed light on sexual assault allegations made by Tara Reade during her time on Biden’s staff. Yet Biden has refused to authorize the release of the documents, begging the question, does Biden supporter Senator Gary Peters think Biden should release the documents? Peters recently defended Biden against the allegations saying, “Everybody deserves the right to be heard respectfully and taken seriously. I can only speak to the person I know, and I know Joe Biden has denied these allegations.” “Americans need to know if allegations against Joe Biden are true, yet Biden is blocking access to documents which may shed light on this scandal,” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman.  Cox continued, “Does Senator Gary Peters support the release of Joe Biden’s Senate records, or does he continue to stand with his buddy Joe Biden in covering up the truth?” More >

As President Trump visits the state today, the Trump Administration has provided unprecedented support to Michigan. From helping Michigan’s farmers, engaging our manufacturing industry, or providing additional aid to hospitals, President Trump continues to utilize the full resources of the federal government to aid Michiganders during the coronavirus outbreak. “The support President Trump has given Michigan is a strong first step in starting to reopen our state for business.” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman “Under the Trump Administration’s leadership we have seen unprecedented support for our state, and as we move to help the nation recover, I know Michigan will rebuild stronger and more prosperous than ever as we defeat this invisible enemy.” Fox News: From building trucks to ventilators, Ford plant’s crisis response on display during Trump's Michigan visit The Detroit News: Michigan to receive $315 million for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing as state reopens MLive: Michigan a top-10 recipient of federal coronavirus stimulus payments The Detroit News: Michigan distributes donated doses of COVID-19 medicine remdesivir WLNS: Michigan receives over $35M in federal funding to help struggling residents pay energy costs MLive: 9 mid-Michigan hospitals to receive $107 million in federal grants  WWTV: Michigan Approved for Nearly $390 Million in Federal Education Funding MLive: Kent County receives $115M in federal funding to cover coronavirus costs WPBN/WGTU: Michigan airports to receive more than $56 million from federal CARES Act WDIV: FEMA provides $1M to Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division MLive: $1.7 million in federal... More >