Leaders of Michigan’s 9th District call for political civility

Republican and Democratic leaders from Michigan’s 9th Congressional District have released a joint statement calling for decency following the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

Casey Armitage, president of the Michigan Republican Assembly and national delegate for the 9th Congressional District, and Elizabeth Weisenbach, chairwoman of the 9th Congressional District of the Michigan Democratic Party, said they were speaking out “to show that despite our differences, we can never accept violence.”

“Casey and I have remained friends despite being on opposite sides of politics,” Weisenbach said. “Our similarities outweigh our differences, and we both care deeply about our country.”

“We agree that no matter who you are, the threat of violence is never acceptable. Period. No discussion. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump was a black day and a sign that we must tone down the heated rhetoric that divides us.”

In their statement, Weisenbach and Armitage urged families, friends and neighbors to get involved politically, but never to allow political disagreements to escalate into violence.

“Americans can make political decisions at the ballot box about what we believe is best for our communities, our state and our country, and that is how the people settle our disputes,” the statement said.

Weisenbach also wished Armitage “a great week” at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

“Casey, please take care of yourself, but have fun,” she said.

Weisenbach was elected as Michigan’s 10th congressional delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, which was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Of course, Milwaukee welcomes people of both parties and security measures are at the highest level because this is a national special security event,” Weisenbach said.