Dave Agema.jpg

Former state Rep. Dave Agema, R-Grandville

(MLive.com File Photo)

LANSING, MI -- Michigan Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema, asked to step down by a growing number of prominent party members, offered a public apology on Friday but made clear that he has no plans to resign.

Agema, a former state representative from Grandville, has come under fire in recent months for a series of controversial anti-gay and anti-Muslim statements on Facebook, talk radio and a Berrien County Republican Party holiday dinner.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and Michigan GOP Chairman Bobby Schostak, citing "the good of the party," called on Agema to resign Friday, joining West Michigan businesswoman Betsy DeVos and other big-name Republicans.

Agema released a statement of his own later in the evening, vowing to work with "people of all faiths that uphold American values" and suggesting that he could have handled himself better when discussing his opposition to same-sex marriage.

"In retrospect, I acknowledge errors in judgment and how I addressed them, feel badly about the impact this has had on many here in the land I love, and have learned valuable lessons about the requirements and responsibilities that are to be expected and honored by all who are in leadership positions -- including myself," he said.

Agema, who won election to the RNC post at a Michigan GOP convention in 2012, went on to explain that he intends to complete his term, which is schedule to run through 2016.

"I have learned much over the last several weeks and will use the lessons learned to improve on my abilities to further the best interests of all people of Michigan, through my role as a proud member of the Republican National Committee," he said in the release.

"I have received great response at packed audiences, drawing voters to the GOP. I fully intend to honor the trust and fulfill the responsibilities to those in the Michigan Republican Party that elected me."

The Agema controversy started in March when he reposted to Facebook an inaccurate and poorly-sourced article purporting to share medical facts about the "filthy" homosexual lifestyle. He later defended the claims, likened homosexuality to alcoholism and praised Russia's controversial anti-gay propaganda law.

Earlier this month, Agema reposted another "eye opening" Internet article asking readers whether they had "ever seen a Muslim do anything that contributes positively to the American way of life," prompting a new round of angry responses.

"I readily acknowledge my mistake, appreciate the charitable efforts of Muslim Americans, and offer my sincerest apology for reposting an article that has been re-quoted as my words," Agema said Friday. "I stand with peaceful Muslims who share my concern with radicalism."

Read the full statement here.

Democrats have been calling for Agema to resign for months, and while many Republicans have criticized his commentary, most had stopped short of asking him to step down. That changed this week as Agema prepared to attend an RNC meeting in Washington, D.C., which he ultimately skipped.

RNC Committeewoman Terri Lynn Land and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette both called on Agema to resign on Friday, with Schuette explaining that he had spoken to Agema directly and encouraged him to step down.

"It is important that we have passionate and respectful debate and discussion on a variety of issues, measured by the strength of our persuasiveness, not the shrillness of our voice," Schuette said in a statement.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who alluded to "derogatory" comments during last week's State of the State Address but did not call out Agema by name, has not asked for his resignation.

"The governor believes it's a party decision and tries to stay out of the middle of party in-fighting," said spokesperson Sara Wurfel. "He supports the leadership of Reince and Bobby and them being proactive on this issue. He's been incredibly clear on his position that there's no place for this kind of talk and certainly no place for discrimination in any political party."

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Google+ or follow him on Twitter.