Bay City Public Schools

A Bay City Public Schools Board of Education member, Mason Pressler, drew national attention after posting on X that a campaign video from Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers "has the aesthetics of a 1960s white flight suburb and a KKK cross burning." The video showed Rogers riding in a red antique Ford pickup truck decorated with American flags while Toby Keith's "American Ride" played, promoting the Woodward Dream Cruise.

The Rogers campaign criticized the remark as equating a Michigan-made truck with the KKK. Pressler, who also serves as northern Michigan regional political manager for Rogers' Democratic opponent Abdul El-Sayed, said he was not speaking as a campaign spokesperson, citing his family's UAW autoworker roots and support for candidates who prioritize working people. He stressed his views don't reflect those of the school board. Neither campaign responded to requests for comment. The controversy adds a flashpoint to Michigan's closely watched Senate race between Rogers and El-Sayed.