Democratic Infighting Erupts Over U-M Regents Race Ahead of Party Convention
Democratic Party tensions explode as incumbent Jordan Acker battles challenger Amir Makled in contentious U-M regents race.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN — Tensions within the Michigan Democratic Party have surfaced as two candidates for the University of Michigan Board of Regents engage in a campaign filled with attack ads and controversial social media revelations.
The confrontation pits incumbent Regent Jordan Acker against challenger Amir Makled, a Dearborn civil rights attorney, in a contentious race ahead of the party’s endorsement convention this Sunday in Detroit.
Party members will gather to endorse candidates for secretary of state, attorney general, Michigan Supreme Court, and university boards, with the regents race drawing attention due to conflicts between the campaigns.
Social Media Posts Spark Controversy
The dispute intensified last week when reports surfaced that Makled had deleted a series of reposts from his X account that praised fallen leaders of the Iranian regime and a key leader in the Lebanese Hezbollah militia group, which has been designated a terrorist organization in the United States.
Makled, who represented pro-Palestinian students facing charges from Attorney General Dana Nessel that were eventually dropped, has found his social media history under scrutiny as the campaign heats up.
The revelations prompted anonymous attacks against Acker over the weekend, including a text message calling him “Israel’s choice for U of M Regent” and mischaracterizing previous interactions with Israeli officials.
Attack Campaign Intensifies
The war of words has expanded beyond social media to include attack ads landing in party members’ mailboxes and a broader excavation of controversial posts, many dealing with Israel’s war in Gaza.
Acker faces the challenge alongside fellow Regent Paul Brown, as both incumbents defend their positions against Makled’s campaign for change on the university’s governing board.
The infighting reflects broader tensions within the Michigan Democratic Party over Middle East policy and representation, with the regents race becoming a proxy battle for larger ideological divisions.
University board positions typically receive less attention than other statewide races, but this year’s contest has drawn significant interest due to ongoing campus debates over the Gaza conflict and university policies regarding student protests.
The Sunday convention in Detroit will determine which candidates receive the party’s official endorsement for the November election, setting the stage for a closely watched general election contest for control of the University of Michigan’s governing body.
