University of Michigan regent Jordan Acker has been linked to obscene sexual comments made in a Slack group chat, according to messages provided to news outlets. The comments allegedly included lewd remarks about a Democratic party strategist and a female university student.

Acker, who has been instrumental in the university's response to pro-Palestinian student protests, is currently running for re-election to the Board of Regents. He previously pushed for legal action against campus protesters during demonstrations related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The messages surfaced just days before a primary convention election for two open seats on the university's governing board. The timing has added scrutiny to what is typically a low-profile race, but has become particularly contentious this year due to campus tensions over Middle East issues.

The regent election has drawn heightened attention as both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian candidates compete for positions on the board that oversees university governance. The race reflects broader national debates about campus speech and protest policies that have intensified at universities across the country.

The University of Michigan has been among several institutions grappling with how to balance free speech with campus safety concerns during protests related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Student demonstrations have led to arrests and disciplinary actions at various campuses nationwide.

Acker's role in campus protest policies and the timing of these revelations have made the regent race a focal point for competing views on how universities should handle politically charged demonstrations and student activism.