Dem ad criticizes Schuette's tax policies for 'super rich'

Days after the Republican Governors Association launched its first TV ad in the Michigan governor’s race, the Democratic Governors Association is responding with its own.

The issue-advocacy ad criticizes Attorney General Bill Schuette for handing “tax giveaways to the super rich” and contrasts his policies with Democratic opponent Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to repeal pension taxes. The TV ad references legislation from Schuette's time in the state Senate in 1995. 

The 30-second ad narrated by Whitmer focuses on a waitress named Tammy, who’s “on her feet all day," but is hurt more by "Michigan’s unfair taxes.”

“That’s why as state senator I took on Republicans and Democrats on taxes and I’m for repealing the retirement tax,” she said.

The television ad from A Stronger Michigan, an issue-advocacy organization backed by the Democratic Governors Association, is scheduled to begin running in the Detroit and Grand Rapids markets Friday and is part of a “six-figure buy,” according to the group’s spokesman David Turner.

“Bill Schuette has long put his special interest backers ahead of the interests of Michiganders,” Turner said in a statement. “Michiganders need to tell Lansing enough is enough, and demand a fairer tax system for all."

On Tuesday, the Republican Governors Association launched a TV ad in the Grand Rapids and Detroit markets that linked Whitmer to the “failed policies” of former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, claiming that Whitmer helped pass Granholm’s tax increases and now wants to “raise taxes even more.”

Voters are still paying for the tax and fee increases that Whitmer supported, Schuette campaign spokesman John Sellek said Thursday.

Schuette plans to eliminate the pension tax, said Sellek, adding that Schuette is a "fighter for protecting pensions" and defended police and firefighter pensions in the Detroit bankruptcy "when no one else would."

"Bill Schuette is the only tax cutter in this race," Sellek said in a statement. "Bill will cut Whitmer's income tax hike and slash the auto insurance rates she did nothing about for years as an unaccomplished politician from Lansing."

eleblanc@detroitnews.com

(517) 371-3661