by P.D. Lesko

Ariah Schugat is a 29-year-old trans woman who, in May 2021, submitted petition language to the Washtenaw County Election Board to recall Ann Arbor Council member Jeff Hayner (D-Ward 1). Schugat, formerly a resident of the Delonis Center, the homeless shelter located on Huron Street in Ann Arbor, has been registered to vote in Ward 1 since late-February of 2021, according to records from the City Clerk’s office.

On May 11, in a 2-1 vote, the county’s Election Board (22nd District Court Judge Darlene O’Brien, Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum and Washtenaw County Treasurer Catherine McClary) approved the language of Schugat’s petition. McClary voted against approving the language because, she said, it was unclear.

“We have to look at the language to our best degree. I don’t think I can find that this meets the clarity issue,” said McClary on May 11, before the long-time County Treasurer voted against approving the petition language.

Judge O’Brien expressed reservations concerning the factuality of the petition language, as well: “We are just looking at factuality and clarity of the language. The part that troubled me the most was about sanctions and whether City Council imposed sanctions.” Nonetheless, O’Brien voted in favor of approving Schugat’s language.

County Clerk Kestenbaum said at the May 11 hearing, “I think that the language that has been presented, I think the language is as clear as it needs to be. I think it is sufficiently clear.”

On social media, Schugat has repeatedly attacked The Ann Arbor Independent. In one instance, because of the newspaper’s pursuit of public records related to a March 2021 domestic violence incident involving Council member Jen Eyer Irwin (D-Ward 4), her husband, Mitch Irwin (a former Michigan state senator), and Irwin’s son, Michigan State Senator Jeff M. Irwin.

On May 12, a day after the Election Board hearing, Schugat sent an email to Hayner’s @a2.gov email in which she wrote, “It’s very helpful for you to talk publicly because it makes collecting signatures so much easier.” In order to trigger a special election, the petitioner is required to collect around 2,400 verified signatures from registered Ward 1 voters within a 60-day window.

On May 13, Schugat sent another email to Hayner’s @a2.gov emails address. This one was signed on behalf of “your favorite half of a ward 1 lesbian couple.” Schugat taunted Hayner then told him to “have a nice day.” The other trans woman in the “lesbian couple” to which Schugat refers is 41-year-old Michelle Ryan Hughes, formerly known as Ryan J. Hughes. Ryan J. Hughes ran against Hayner for City Council in 2018 as an independent. On social media, Schugat has repeatedly identified Hughes using the term “girlfriend.” Voter records show Schugat and Hughes are registered to vote at the same Charles Street address.

Concerning the motives for recall, Schugat has repeatedly posted contradictory explanations. In one case, Schugat contradicted a statement made when speaking before the Election Commission. In another instance, Schugat’s social media posts show the trans woman deceived a reporter from MLive.

On March 1, 2021, shortly after Schugat registered to vote using the address of the home City Assessor’s records show is owned by Ryan J. Hughes (aka Michelle Ryan Hughes [@MegaMichellex]) Schugat said on Twitter:

Schugat again stated in public that Michelle Ryan Hughes (formerly Ryan Hughes), wishes to run for Hayner’s seat on City Council.

Two days later, in an April 26, 2021 MLive article about the effort to recall Hayner, Schugat claimed to the reporter not to have “any idea” who might run to replace Hayner.

In a Tweet dated May 5, Schugat said, “When you believe in nothing, you can say anything, right?” Her comment was aimed at two women on City Council, but is certainly applicable in the case of Schugat’s own public comments and social media posts concerning the recall effort.

During the May 11, 2021 Election Board Commission meeting, Schugat told Judge O’Brien, County Clerk Kestenbaum and County Treasurer McClary, “This recall is not about Hayner. It’s about the language and the impact that the language has on the community. I don’t think removing Hayner will be the way to do it.”

Schugat, who claims to object to Hayner’s use of a 50-year-old quote from “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” by Hunter S. Thompson, told the members of the Election Commission, “I do use vulgar language and I stand what I have written [on social media].” Along with Hayner, on social media Schugat has repeatedly targeted several of the women on City Council: Lisa Disch (D-Ward 1) [“lame”], Kathy Griswold (D-Ward 2) [“a special fuck you to Kathy Griswold”], Jen Eyer (D-Ward 4) [“lame”], and Elizabeth Nelson (D-Ward 4). Schugat has also targeted POC. Schugat has referred to Ali Ramlawi (D-Ward 5) a Palestinian small business owner, as a “clown” and stupid.

Shortly before the May 11 meeting of the Election Committee, Schugat Tweeted about the recall effort:

After the May 11 meeting of the Election Committee, Schugat Tweeted:

In a May 12 email sent Hayner, Schugat acknowledged she was taunting the Ward 1 Council member (“I will leave you alone after this.”) Schugat wrote:

I will leave you alone after this but I’m genuinely curious what you meant by “these are powerful words, they are said for a reason. They’re used to express emotions”  it wasn’t explained in the article

What emotions are you expressing when you choice to use homophobic and racial slurs? Does making these comments bring you joy? Does it fulfill you? Are you using these slurs to express anger or sadness? Is it confusion or Anxiety that you feel are best expressed using this type of language?

You’re absolutely entitled to say these things if you so choose too but people are equally entitled to whatever reaction your choice provokes.

Regardless, from your favorite half of a ward 1 lesbian couple.

Have a nice day

Former Ann Arbor Council member Dr. Ron Suarez (D-Ward 1) posted to Facebook that a signature collector with Schugat’s petition had visited his home. When Suarez asked the collector who might run for Hayner’s seat, the collector claimed not to know. Suarez said that he found the answer deceptive and, as a result, had refused to sign the petition.

Council member Hayner has appealed the vote of the Election Commission to the 22nd District Court. In his court filing, Hayner alleges that the petition language submitted by Schugat is neither factual nor clear as written. The Honorable Timothy Connors has 40 days to rule.

When asked by MLive about Hayner’s appeal of the petition language, Schugat refused to comment.