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Michigan Democratic candidates getting “hateful and vile” phone calls after numbers published in Republican campaign ads

Alan Levine

At least six Democratic candidates have been getting "hateful and vile" phone calls, after their Republican opponents put their personal cell phone numbers on campaign mailings.

That's according to Minority House Leader Donna Lasinski.

She says it's happened in six highly competitive races, and it's getting worse as the election draws closer.

"I can't actually say on the radio the messages that have been received by my candidates, OUR candidates have had to notify local law enforcement of these messages."

A spokesman for the Michigan Republican Party said in a statement, quote, "we are utilizing publicly available information."

Lasinski says the Democrats who have been harassed are taking extra safety precautions.

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Tracy Samilton covers energy and transportation, including the auto industry and the business response to climate change for Michigan Public. She began her career at Michigan Radio as an intern, where she was promptly “bitten by the radio bug,” and never recovered.