Ferguson’s future as MSU trustee on thin ice

Michigan State University Trustee Joel Ferguson is interested in seeking a fourth term, but it’s not clear that many within the Democratic Party power base is interested in seeing him back, numerous sources told me recently.

Ferguson — the wealthy developer, philanthropist and significant Democratic contributor — has been the predominant powerbroker at MSU both visibly and behind the scenes off and on since 1986. His connections with Jesse Jackson, Hillary Clinton and other prominent Democrats have made him a powerful figure within Democratic circles for decades.

But Ferguson’s perceived public callousness toward the sexual assault victims of Larry Nassar and his behind-the-scenes maneuvering to bring former Republican Gov. John Engler to lead MSU on an interim basis have not endeared him the groups, like the education unions, the UAW, progressive and the trial attorneys who have previously supported him.

Rather, some are looking for an alternative candidate as the Black Caucus pushes to keep Ferguson around.

“It’s time for him to move on,” said one well-placed Democratic source. “The way he handled himself in the Nassar case. The way the guy meddles with the Athletic Department. He’s considered a sleaze ball and he just needs to go.”

The two terms up in the 2020 election on the eight-member MSU Board of Trustees is that of Ferguson, who was nominated by the Democratic Party, and Brian Mosallam, also a Democratic Party nominated incumbent. Mosallam was considered the most out-spoken pro-Nassar-victim supporter on the board at the height of the controversy and isn’t seen as being in as much hot water, but still may not make the ‘20 ballot.

Mosallam has yet to announce his intentions on reelection.

Ferguson said he’s still considering whether to run for the Democratic Party’s endorsement at its Mar. 21 endorsement convention. But in the first outward sign that he’s leaning toward a yes, a “Ferguson for MSU” Facebook page started up by Ingham County Democratic leader Elena Greer appeared.

On Sunday, the Ingham County Democratic Party celebrated the grand opening of its first campaign headquarters in years on Washington Avenue in REO town.

The party is being allowed to use the nice facility free of charge thanks to Ferguson. He noted that he’s also helped raise money for Democratic causes and will continue to do so whether the party re-nominates him or not. He’ll also continue to give to youth basketball programs for disadvantaged kids, among his other programs.

The generosity for the office space was appreciated by Ingham County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Swope, who said the local party most recently was operating out of some cramped space within Practical Political Consulting.

He said he feels Ferguson has been working to protect the University and hold down tuition rates.

“Frankly, I’ve been in a position before that the things you have to do and say can’t be fully explained at the time,” Swope said. “What he’s doing now benefits everybody. There was no condition on the gift. We get the building whether he wins or loses, but I’m glad to see him focusing on his contribution to the county party.”

This gift, however, became a launching off pad for some party activists to question why the party of the #metoo movement and women’s rights would embrace a political figure who gave off the public appearance of being an establishment apologist at the height of the Nassar controversy.

During a radio program, he staunchly defended now criminally charged former President Lou Anna Simon and referred to the controversy over the former MSU gymnastics doctor sexually assaulting what is now alleged to be more than 300 women as “this Nassar thing.”

“Joel’s finished  although he’ll probably be the last one to realize it,” said Ingham County Commissioner Thomas Morgan. “In the meantime, there are plenty of vultures around willing to take his dirty money and blow smoke up his ass from now until the convention.”

Swope said he’s concerned folks are “politicizing” a helpful gift at a time when the party needs to be rowing the same direction to beat President Donald Trump in November.

In the mind of Ingham County Democrat Angela Vasquez-Giroux, however, letting the Democratic Party, at any level, entangle itself in the money of a “rape apologist” will deflate the enthusiasm of the party’s grassroots, who would otherwise knock doors and make phone calls for Dem candidates up and down the ballot.

“Joel Ferguson is a rape apologist, enabler of the culture at MSU that gave Nassar free reign to abuse young women and children & apologist (actually cheerleaders!) for LouAnna K Simon and everyone who arrogantly insisted everything was fine,” she tweeted last week.

Ferguson said he was aware that this and other comments were out in social media, but he “does not react to anything that is said of me on social media.

“I just don’t argue with people in the newspaper.”

(Kyle Melinn of the Capitol news service MIRS is at melinnky@gmail.com.)