University of Michigan Regent's Lewd Messages Surface Amid Election Tensions
Jordan Acker, a University of Michigan regent known for his role in cracking down on pro-Palestinian student protests, has been linked to a series of obscene sexual comments in a group chat, according to messages obtained by the Guardian. The Slack messages, attributed to Acker, include lewd remarks about a Democratic party strategist and a female U-M student, along with a picture of her with friends.
Election Context and Campus Divisions
The messages were revealed just days before a heated primary convention election for two open seats on the U-M board of regents, the university's governing body. This typically low-profile race has become intensely contentious this year, with pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian candidates vying for positions, reflecting broader tensions over criticism of Israel on campuses nationwide.
Acker, an attorney and confrontational pro-Israel leader, has been instrumental in pushing legal actions against student protesters. He helped recruit the Michigan attorney general to pursue unusual prosecutions against students and supported a sprawling undercover surveillance operation, both of which were dropped after Guardian reports. Additionally, Acker has faced criticism for leading the university in dismantling its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative under pressure from Donald Trump.
Challengers and Political Backing
Acker is being challenged by Amir Makled, a progressive defense attorney from Dearborn, Michigan, who represented some of the pro-Palestinian protesters. Makled is popular among the Democratic party's left flank, which has expressed frustration with U-M's handling of student protests and union relations. Current regent Paul Brown is also in the three-way race, with both his and Acker's terms expiring on 1 January.
At a 19 April convention, Democratic party delegates will effectively choose two nominees for the general election in November. Acker has garnered support from the political establishment, including endorsements from US Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, and several major unions. In contrast, Makled has endorsements from many of the school's graduate unions and the United Auto Workers.
Details of the Lewd Messages
The Guardian reviewed conversations in a Slack group from 2020 and 2021, including an account bearing Acker's name, which was cross-referenced with his personal Gmail account. Six group members confirmed seeing the messages when they were sent, describing them as unprompted comments from Acker. The group, consisting of about 30 left-leaning professionals, primarily discusses sports and Michigan politics and is not involved in the regents race.
One message reads that a "buddy banged [redacted] on election night 2018 and we literally discussed this yesterday. Said it was the most insane experience of his life." Another refers to the strategist as "an absolute freak in bed," with additional messages describing her preferences in graphic terms. A separate message appears to show Acker discussing a parent's revelation about his daughter's health issues, accompanied by a picture of the daughter and her friends, with a comment suggesting she is sexually active.
Responses and Denials
Acker's lawyer stated in an email that his client has never used Slack and expressed doubts about the authenticity of the screenshots. When asked if Acker denied writing the messages, the attorney responded ambiguously: "Your understanding that Mr Acker does not deny this is not correct or incorrect." The strategist named in the messages declined to comment to protect her privacy.
Makled told the Guardian the messages "are reprehensible, if they are true," and expressed disappointment over being falsely accused in the election. He recently faced criticism for retweets on X in 2025, including one lamenting the death of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and another from Candace Owens referring to Israelis as "demons," which cost him an endorsement from the Service Employees International Union.
Impact on Endorsements
It remains unclear whether the messages will affect endorsements from Whitmer and McMorrow. Whitmer, who has spoken emotionally about being sexually assaulted in college, and McMorrow, who filed a complaint against a state representative for alleged sexual harassment, have not withdrawn their support. McMorrow said in a statement: "If these messages are real, then they are disgusting," but her spokesperson did not address whether this affects her endorsement. Whitmer, the University of Michigan, and the Michigan Education Association did not respond to requests for comment.
The delegates' votes are expected to be counted, and the state party is set to make its endorsements on Sunday evening, with the outcome potentially shaping the future of U-M's governance amid ongoing campus conflicts.
