Controversy Follows Anthony Hudson in Michigan Governor Bid

Controversy is nothing new for Anthony Hudson, whose run for governor of Michigan has repeatedly drawn backlash, police attention, and public condemnation. His campaign has been marked by a pattern of incidents stretching from campaign messaging to public demonstrations and party fallout.

Hudson most recently drew criticism after the Genesee County Republican Party released a public statement saying it had contacted law enforcement over his rhetoric. The party cited statements and videos it said crossed into threats against elected officials, calling his language unacceptable and dangerous. This incident was reported by Dave Bondy and referenced in the Genesee County GOP’s own statement.

That episode followed earlier reporting that Hudson had repeatedly spoken about hanging elected officials for treason. According to reporting, those remarks appeared multiple times in campaign videos and public appearances, including events connected to local government meetings. This reporting was published by Michigan Advance.

Hudson also became a flashpoint in Dearborn in late 2025 after promoting claims that the city was operating under Sharia law. Local leaders and civil rights groups said the statements were false and inflammatory. Planned demonstrations tied to Hudson prompted warnings from community leaders before the protest was ultimately called off. Hudson later walked back parts of his claims. These events were reported by Michigan Advance, CBS Detroit, and CAIR Michigan.

Earlier, during his 2024 congressional run, Hudson faced national criticism after a campaign post used an AI generated voice made to sound like Martin Luther King Jr. endorsing him. Hudson initially blamed a campaign volunteer for the video, saying it was unauthorized, though the post remained widely criticized as deceptive and unethical. This controversy was covered by Michigan Advance, FOX 2 Detroit, and the New York Post.

Amid mounting backlash, Hudson later announced he was leaving the Republican Party and continuing his gubernatorial run as a Libertarian, claiming party leaders had pushed him out. That move came as GOP officials publicly distanced themselves from his campaign. This development was reported by Michigan Advance.

From AI deepfake backlash to Dearborn protests, threat allegations, and party condemnation, Hudson’s political career has been marked by repeated controversies that long predate his latest clash with Genesee County Republicans.

At what point does a pattern of controversy become the defining issue of a statewide campaign?