A Democratic candidate seeking a state Senate seat is denouncing statements made by President Donald Trump in response to the events in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Adam Dreher, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the 22nd District State Senate seat said “Trump's statement on Tuesday defending the white supremacists should disgust all Americans.” The Oceola Township resident is an assistant prosecutor in Ionia County. He says racism and hatred have no place in America and he’s not afraid to condemn the actions of the neo-Nazis, the KKK, and others of the alt-right. Dreher said he is also not afraid to condemn Donald Trump's defense of them. He says fear was Trump's running mate and fear remains a member of his cabinet, adding his statements will likely embolden neo-Nazis to cause more deadly confrontations.

Dreher commented he is also not afraid to call upon his likely opponent, current State Representative Lana Theis, to condemn these actions, saying they may be of different parties but this is one thing they must agree on. Theis, a Brighton Township Republican who previously announced her Senate election campaign, told WHMI she utterly denounces any and all racism and hatred.

Both Dreher and Theis are seeking the Senate seat currently held by Iosco Township Republican Joe Hune, who is term limited and a very vocal Trump supporter. He was among the approximately 200 people who gathered in Howell on Tuesday for a rally in a show of support for the president. (JM)