Lonnie Scott and labor leaders call David Rutledge campaign mailer 'dishonest and misleading'

Lonnie Scott

In a mailer sent to residents this week, David Rutledge, one of six Democrats facing off in Tuesday's primary, said he's proud to be the only 54th District candidate "highly recommended" by the Huron Valley Central Labor Council.

The ad, paid for by Rutledge's campaign, goes on to list more than 30 labor unions that are affiliated with the Central Labor Council, including groups that are not endorsing his campaign and, in fact, some that are supporting Scott.

Though the ad doesn't technically state the groups listed are endorsing Rutledge, Scott argues it definitely leaves that impression.

"There's no reason to list the affiliate unions unless you want it to appear those unions are supporting him," Scott said. "And this is how you know it's intentional: He uses words like 'highly recommended' instead of 'endorsed' and then he just lists the unions."

Two of the unions listed on the mailing are the Ann Arbor Firefighters Local 693 and Ypsilanti Firefighters Local 401. Both of those are affiliate members of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union, which has endorsed Scott's campaign.

When reached by phone Thursday, Rutledge referred all comments to the Central Labor Council. He said the council provided the list of unions he used.

David Rutledge

"I have no comment regarding this at all," Rutledge said. "I just think it's inappropriate for me to respond for something that the council did. I simply put out what they gave me."

Rutledge noted the mailer only stated he was "highly recommended" by the labor council and did not use the word "endorsement."

Fred Veigel, president of the Central Labor Council, also defended the mailer. He said he didn't see a problem with listing the unions affiliated with the labor council as long as the mailing didn't state they were endorsing Rutledge.

"I told David that it has to be worded just properly that we 'recommended him highly,'" Veigel said, adding it's technically correct that way. "That's the ball game."

Veigel, who serves with Rutledge on the Washtenaw County Road Commission, said his labor council interviewed both Scott and Rutledge and "highly recommended" Rutledge for an endorsement from the state AFL-CIO in June.

The AFL-CIO opted to stay neutral in the race.

Rutledge's mailer lists the Michigan Nurses Association. Ken Fletcher, a spokesman for the group, chastised Rutledge for including his group.

"We have not endorsed Mr. Rutledge and resent the fact that he is implying in his recent mailer that he has the support of MNA," he said. "He also does not have the endorsement of the AFL-CIO. That mailer says a lot about the character of Mr. Rutledge.”

Scott’s campaign said that after speaking with many groups listed on the mailer, it was clear they had not given support or an endorsement of Rutledge.

Mark Docherty, president of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union, said it may be true the two local firefighters unions listed on Rutledge's mailer are affiliates of Central Labor Council, but they're not supporting Rutledge.

“Mr. Scott has received the exclusive endorsement of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union," Docherty said. "We endorsed him because of his strong commitment to firefighters and our issues. We have not endorsed any other candidates in the 54th state House district. If another candidate is misrepresenting themselves as being endorsed by this organization or one of our locals, then that is completely false."

Scott, who has picked up the majority of the endorsements in the race, said he's shocked it appears Rutledge tried to intentionally mislead voters.

“He often uses words like 'trust' and 'integrity' on his signs and in his literature, but I guess in the final week of this campaign, he is showing that winning an election is more important than being honest with our community," Scott said.

Veigel had choice words for Scott, who also recently criticized Rutledge for taking part in a $4,000 dinner during a Washtenaw Community College board retreat.

"I think Lonnie Scott's a little snot nose. Lonnie Scott couldn't carry David Rutledge's jockstrap," Veigel said. "Lonnie's drawing at straws. As far as I'm concerned, he's approaching this thing in a sneaky way. That's showing his immaturity."

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.