LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As the Michigan presidential primary and the November elections approach, a lingering question in the state’s political landscape is whether the turmoil surrounding the leadership of the Michigan Republican Party will find a resolution in the near future.
Currently, two avenues are underway to address the issue: a lawsuit filed in Kent County Circuit Court and a potential decision by the Republican National Committee (RNC) on which Chair they will officially recognize – the originally-elected Kristina Karamo or the newly-elected Pete Hoekstra.
Kristina Karamo, an unsuccessful candidate for Michigan Secretary of State, secured her position through a vote by the state’s precinct delegates in February 2023. In contrast, Pete Hoekstra, a former Congressman and Trump’s former Ambassador to the Netherlands, assumed the role of Chair after a January 20th meeting vote by a faction of state committee members who voted to oust Karamo.
RNC establishes special committee to address state dispute.
On February 2nd, MIRS News reported on the social media platform X that the RNC, during their winter meeting the previous week, established a special committee to address the dispute and provide a recommendation to the full RNC on the recognized Chair.
Before that, on January 19th, a lawsuit was initiated by several members of the MIGOP, including Karamo’s former co-Chair Malinda Pego, seeking recognition of Karamo’s removal from the chairmanship. The lawsuit alleges breach of contract and urges the court to uphold the rule of law, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief in line with the bylaws.
Court dates coming up.
A preliminary injunction against Karamo had been requested by the Pego/Hoekstra faction of the MIGOP, but Karamo’s attorney filed an Ex Party Motion to adjourn the hearing, which was granted, turning it into a scheduling conference. According to the Kent County Circuit Court website, there is a Motion to Dismiss date of February 20th and a Motion for Summary Disposition Hearing scheduled for March 15th.
The central issue revolves around the manner in which Karamo was removed as Chair by a group of state committee members and whether the party’s bylaws were followed during her removal and Hoekstra’s subsequent election.
RNC lists Michigan chair position as “vacant.”
As all decisions continue to be pending, the RNC has designated the Michigan Chair position as “vacant.” Neither Chair was seated at the RNC’s winter meeting, despite both reportedly attending the Las Vegas gathering.
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The conflict is portrayed by some as a clash between the “far-right” wing and the “old guard,” while others attribute it to mismanagement of the party and its funds by Karamo from the outset, as detailed in a 150-page report that was released titled “The Failed Leadership of the Karamo Administration.”
Campaign finance reporting deadline missed by MIGOP.
Reports that the MIGOP missed campaign finance reporting deadlines last week further fuel claims of ongoing mismanagement within the party.
Despite RNC attorneys asserting Karamo was “properly” removed from her position and Hoekstra earning former President Donald Trump’s endorsement for the Chair position, Karamo maintains her leadership position as Chair, expressing defiance in her assertion that she remains the rightful leader.
Karamo fights back against RNC.
In an email to RNC members before their meeting, Karamo stated, “The RNC leadership has unilaterally decided not to recognize me as MIGOP Chair, against the will of the Michigan Republican Party State Central Committee.”
She continued, “To make matters worse, RNC leadership is colluding with members of a faction of just 37 percent of the state committee, individuals of Michigan’s consultant class, and Ambassador Pete Hoekstra to unlawfully remove me as chair and install him in my place. If the will of the Michigan precinct delegates and state central committee can be unilaterally usurped by the RNC leadership, understand that your state could be next.”
She discussed the RNC plans in her “From the Chair” interview on Saturday saying, “This is insane…Forget what the precinct delegates of Michigan said, forget what the state central committee had to say…we’re going to put the decision in the hands of the RNC…”
Karamo called the emails and the strategy against her a well funded “psyops” mission that uses emotionally unstable people who dislike her. She goes on to say, “Our salvation comes in Jesus, not a political figure. And that means it’s our responsibility to clean up our backyard if we’re going to save our country. This whole thing, it’s really insane.”
Where do things stand?
As of now, Michigan continues to grapple with the situation, leaving the MIGOP with two Chairs – or none, as indicated by the RNC website.
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