McGonegal calls for apology from lawmakers

BRIGHTON – Mike McGonegel, candidate for the Michigan House from the 66th District, called on his opponent, Chris Ward, and Rep. Joe Hune to apologize for their insensitive, embarrassing and unfunny comments aimed at U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s weight during a “comedy routine” last week at the annual Ronald Reagan Dinner held by the Livingston County Republican Party.

McGonegal said many people who attended the event later contacted former Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Burress to express their outrage and embarrassment over the performance by the two elected officials. McGonegal said his campaign blog received the most hits ever after the information was posted on the blog Wednesday. Many of the posters said they have endured painful and hurtful taunts because of their weight for most of their lives, and the pain has remand with them beyond their childhood and teen years.

“This is just a grievous and offensive insult to overweight people and women everywhere,” McGonegal said. “Poor judgment is one thing, but this goes beyond that. They simply need to publicly apologize to those people they have hurt and offended.”

One woman using just her first name of Cathy on the blog said she was teased so much about her weight in the eighth grade that she considered suicide, and her parents had to seek treatment from a therapist for her because of the pain it caused her. Ironically, Ward introduced legislation in February of 2005 following a string of tragic teen suicides in Livingston County that was just signed into law this past summer by the Governor to encourage school districts to include age-appropriate instruction programs regarding the warning signs and risk factors of suicide and depression.

“The two of them need to show some real leadership and maturity by accepting responsibility for and owning up to some truly insensitive and offensive remarks,” McGonegal said. “I think that’s what we should expect as a minimum from our elected officials.”