Lewd messages controversy engulfs University of Michigan Democrat regent Jordan Acker amid tense re election race

 

Jordan Acker 

DETROIT , MI A controversy over alleged lewd messages has intensified scrutiny on University of Michigan regent Jordan Acker, raising questions about his conduct and leadership as he seeks another term on the board that governs one of the nations largest public universities.

Messages attributed to Acker in a private Slack group include explicit sexual comments about a Democratic political strategist and crude remarks about a female University of Michigan student, according to reporting that surfaced days before a closely watched state Democratic convention.

Several people who participated in the Slack group said they saw the messages when they were posted, describing them as unsolicited and inappropriate. The conversations, which span multiple years, were shared with media outlets amid an already heated race for two open regent seats.

Ackers attorney questioned the authenticity of the screenshots and said his client had never used Slack, but did not issue a clear denial regarding the substance of the messages.

The controversy comes as Acker, an attorney and prominent figure on the board, faces a challenge from progressive candidate Amir Makled, a Dearborn based defense attorney who has represented pro Palestinian student protesters. The race has become a flashpoint in broader political tensions surrounding campus protests and US policy in the Middle East.

Acker has been a central figure in the universitys response to pro Palestinian demonstrations, including supporting legal action against protesters and backing internal efforts that drew criticism from civil liberties advocates. Some of those actions were later scaled back or dropped following public scrutiny.

The newly surfaced messages have added another layer of controversy, particularly given the universitys ongoing efforts to address issues of campus climate, harassment, and student safety.

Makled said the messages, if verified, are reprehensible, while some Democratic leaders who have endorsed Acker signaled concern but have not announced any changes to their support.

Neither the University of Michigan nor major labor organizations backing Acker immediately commented on whether the allegations would affect their positions.

The governing board of regents plays a key role in setting university policy, overseeing administration, and shaping institutional priorities. Regents are elected statewide, and the Democratic Party convention is expected to determine which candidates advance with official party backing ahead of the November general election.

The outcome could hinge not only on political alignments but also on how delegates weigh questions of personal conduct against policy positions in a race already marked by sharp ideological divisions.