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| Lucido’s Times Square-style electronic billboard |
Several years ago an ambitious first-time candidate for office issued a fairly outrageous claim against his opponent that would eventually signal a new low in dirty politics.
Joe Rheker, who was seeking county office in Macomb, insisted that he was not responsible for the particularly nasty accusations made against his rival, Ed Bruley, in campaign literature. Denial is routine in these matters but then Rheker added this: His opponent created and distributed these flyers – secretly targeting himself – in order to drum up sympathy votes.
At the time, I told him his odd theory was preposterous. Why would any candidate consider such a risky, potentially suicidal approach?
Rheker’s assertion was never proven but the young candidate was hit with a big backlash from voters familiar with Bruley, who served 26 years as the top in-district aide to congressman Dave Bonior. At the polls on Election Day for that Democratic primary contest, Rheker was reportedly scolded and scorned by voters.
A new day had dawned in the strange, sometimes sleazy world of Macomb County politics.
Two years later, two more candidates seemed to follow the same path. A trail of evidence indicated that they were engaging in clandestine “hit pieces” against themselves. They key was: first, make the accusations so outrageous that most voters would not believe them; and, second, follow up those pieces of literature with a steady barrage of high-volume complaints about the election foe’s mudslinging.
Which brings us to Pete Lucido, a high-profile candidate running in Macomb County’s hottest primary election contest.
A Shelby Township Republican seeking a state House seat, Lucido let it be known two weeks ago that he is the target of a new type of campaign dirty tricks – the threat of boycotts at businesses who are supporting his candidacy. An unsigned letter using a fake name as the author appeared on Facebook, vowing to organize boycotts that would put Lucido’s backers out of business.
Facing a tough GOP primary in north Macomb, Lucido called the tactics “childish” and “disgusting.” He wasn’t certain how many letters went out but he said the businesses singled out for destruction were very upset. His outrage landed him a spot at the top of the front page of The Macomb Daily in a news story with a large headline and a photo of the outraged candidate.
But here’s the other side of the story that has slowly emerged:
The two prime targets of this so-called boycott, both extremely popular businesses on Shelby Township’s Van Dyke corridor, know nothing about this whole episode.
At Ocean Breeze restaurant, a family eatery that serves mostly the “regulars,” a manager said he had never seen or heard about the letters. No one at the restaurant, including the loyal customers, was aware of the threat of an all-out boycott at Ocean Breeze.
At Vince and Joe’s fruit market and deli, the story was the same. No knowledge of boycott letters.
Beyond the boycott threat, these form letters made two outlandish claims: that Lucido is a liberal Democrat, though he’s running as a conservative Republican; and that his “families first” agenda is a sham because, as a divorce attorney, he broke up thousands of homes and marriages. The candidate had said that the form letters were mailed to residents of the 36th House District without a return address. The first (and only) person to display a letter online was Washington Township Supervisor Dan O’Leary, one Lucido’s ardent supporters. But O’Leary has since said that he didn’t personally receive a letter and he has not met anyone who did.
And that’s just one of many peculiarities about the well-financed Lucido election campaign.
A couple of miles away from Vince and Joe’s is Lucido’s “campaign headquarters,” located in an upscale office building. But the candidate’s office is routinely dark and locked, according to a business owner down the hall who has agreed to distribute Lucido campaign literature to visitors.
Outside, the Lucido logo, a yellow sun, is visible on well-traveled 26 Mile Road. In various formats he interchanges the yellow icon, sometimes labeling the logo “Lucido for state representative” and sometimes promoting Lucido legal services.
Those who tire of calling the unmanned headquarters can reach the candidate at his Clinton Township law office. If they’re put on hold, a recording offers help with divorce, child custody and child support payments.
Lucido’s campaign posters don’t talk about issues, they list the newest schedule for the two dozen free forums that Lucido has staged for several months. A free spaghetti dinner for voters is fairly routine, but “Pasta with Pete” is a freebie offered by Lucido every Wednesday this month.
Other events have consisted of open forums, coffee hours, “Pizza with Pete,” “Paczki with Pete,” “Pie with Pete,” and “Irish Pub with Pete.” (Ocean Breeze has hosted three of these little get-togethers.) . Lucido provides some free advertising, including the phone number, to each business that hosts an event.
On July 30, six days before the election, the candidate is throwing himself a birthday party and all district voters are welcome. Hosting your own birthday party is an old throwback in Macomb County politics. But Macomb’s political history is fraught with unseemly incidents and tactics that often backfire. The search for dirt often becomes muddy.
Once you wander into these waters, you need more than mysterious letters to make some waves.
I'm glad we have you to tell us what is really going on. Shame on those politicians who feel they cannot win on merit alone!
Rocky Raczkowski pulled the same garbage in Oakland County. Claimed his opponent put a negative mailer on him (later changed to a negative mass email). His opponent howled over the charge and called on Raczkowski to produce the negative mailer/email. Raczkowski never did. No one has ever seen it. And the media let him skate on it.