A well-known Michigan lobbyist has resigned in the wake of recent remarks he made that triggered controversy.
The board of the Great Lakes Education Project--a school choice advocacy group--accepted Gary Naeyaert’s resignation Tuesday.
Last week, Naeyaert told a gathering of the Senate Education committee that he wanted to “shake” Michigan School Reform Officer Natasha Baker “like I like to shake my wife” for admitting her office was unable to hold persistently failing schools accountable.
He was criticized for the comments by several prominent Democrats, including Gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer. She called the comment “inappropriate, unprofessional and deeply disturbing.”
On Monday, Naeyaert publicly apologized on Facebook, saying he is “not a domestic abuser” and “does not condone abuse.”