OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Former President Donald Trump will be in Waterford Township on Saturday, stumping for votes ahead of the Feb. 27 primary and Mar. 2 GOP caucus.
Trump’s already on record saying he supports Pete Hoekstra, former congressman and ambassador, as the rightful MIGOP party chair. However, Kristina Karamo refuses to go and still controls the state party’s email account.
Karamo was elected to be the state party chair by the delegates, but financial woes, lawsuits, and election denialism have marred her tenure.
Her former supporters voted to oust her in January over what they say is a lack of transparency.
She claims the vote was illegitimate, but the RNC says she’s no longer the chair. It recognizes Pete Hoekstra, who was voted in.
Thursday (Feb. 15) night, county MIGOP conventions took place. Karamo attempted to speak at the Oakland County convention but was not recognized as state party chair.
In a post on X Oakland County GOP Chair Vance Patrick called Karamo’s actions disruptive.
Kristina, you improperly entered a district caucus that you were not authorized to. You are a precinct delegate in the 11th, not the 9th. There was also no motion to allow you to speak. Your improper intrusion was disruptive to the normal business of our county convention. https://t.co/qeinc9pNV8
— Chairman Vance Patrick (@vance_gop) February 16, 2024
The state of Michigan runs the presidential primary on the 27th, but the MIGOP runs the caucus on the 2nd. There’s likely to be a scene.
“It’s an embarrassment is what it is,” says political consultant Dennis Darnoi of Densar Consulting. “The fact of the matter is you have someone who was rightfully elected and then removed but choosing not to go.”
Beyond the primary and caucus, the bigger picture is how dysfunction at the state party level affects what is likely to be a hotly contested presidential race in Michigan and all those down-ballot races.
Donors have fled the party under Karamo’s leadership. Already, Republicans like former Governor Rick Snyder have started fundraising for State House candidates and avoiding the mess at the State party entirely.
Hoekstra not only has the support of the former president and the RNC, but he can get his calls returned and is more than capable of raising money.
Darnoi thinks it’s all over but the shouting, but there’s likely to be plenty of shouting in the coming weeks and months if Karamo continues to refuse to leave.
“I do think with Pete Hoekstra in charge of the party and Rick Snyder raising money, what you’re going to see is Republicans really focused on trying to take back the state house,” said Darnoi.