Democratic Strategist Calls Charter School Official 'The Human Herpes Virus'

A Democratic political strategist called a charter school board president “the human herpes virus” because he took an unpaid position after a failed political bid to be a state representative.

Main Street Strategies’ Joe DiSano made the comment about Cody Bailey on Tony Trupiano’s radio show. After losing in his bid for the State House, Bailey took over as school board president of Taylor Preparatory High School in Taylor.

"Cody Bailey, the human herpes virus (has) showed up again," DiSano said. "Just when you think you got rid of him, he pops up like a herpes’ sore."

Bailey ran as a Democrat and lost to State Rep. David Knezek in the 2012 primary in the Dearborn Heights area. Bailey said he told people as he campaigned that he served as a part-time intern for Mitt Romney in 2007 and gave money to Republican causes before running. He said he chose to run as a Democrat because of the demographics and never considered himself a Republican or Democrat.

It’s not unheard of for a politician to switch affiliations. State Treasurer Andy Dillon started out as Republican, switched to become a Democrat and now serves with a Republican governor.

In the radio interview, DiSano said they "beat him (Bailey) back" by using Bailey’s own biography and public statements.

"It's disgusting what they did," Bailey said. "I don't consider myself a Democrat or Republican. I’m not running for office now."

DiSano also criticized the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Michigan, calling them "basically the scab builders." 

"Scab" is a union created derogatory term used to refer to a person who works during a strike. ABC is a voluntary trade association for contractors in the state that "opposes all discrimination in the construction industry including discrimination based on union affiliation."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 13.2 percent of construction workers nationwide belong to a union. A 2012 report from Unionstats.com (a project from researchers Barry Hirsh of Georgia State University and David Macpherson of Trinity University ), found that only 18.8 percent of Michigan construction workers are unionized.

Audrey Spalding, an education policy analyst with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, serves as treasurer on the Taylor Preparatory School Board.

When reached for comment, DiSano said his remarks speak for themselves.