Michigan GOP Leaders to Discuss Chairwoman’s Removal Amid Turmoil
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Republicans are gearing up for a crucial meeting on Saturday to discuss the possible removal of state GOP Chairwoman Kristina Karamo. The move comes after a year of leadership marred by debt and infighting, with many party leaders calling for her resignation.
Karamo has vehemently stated that she will not recognize the vote to remove her, claiming that the meeting has been illegally organized and is unofficial. This sets the stage for a potential court battle to determine control of the highest position within the Michigan GOP.
The internal dispute within the Michigan Republican party comes as they aim to rebound from historic losses in the 2022 midterms. The party is looking to flip an open U.S. Senate seat and help the Republican presidential nominee win the battleground state.
This situation in Michigan is not isolated, as several swing states with far-right leadership have also struggled with infighting and money issues. The implications could be significant in the 2024 presidential election, as these states are poised to play pivotal roles.
Kristina Karamo, a former community college instructor, gained prominence within Michigan’s Republican ranks by spreading election conspiracies after the 2020 presidential election. She was backed by former President Donald Trump in her run for secretary of state in 2022, ultimately losing by 14 percentage points in a result that she has refused to concede.
In February, Karamo was elected to lead the state party through the 2024 elections. Less than a year later, her co-chair, Malinda Pego, has joined a petition seeking Karamo’s removal. Last week, eight of the party’s 13 congressional district chairs called on Karamo to resign due to financial instability and insufficient fundraising.
Despite the mounting pressure, Karamo has refused to resign and has promised not to leave if ousted at the meeting, calling the gathering “illegal.”
The meeting on Saturday will require a significant number of party members to attend to be official. Opponents would need to secure signatures from at least half of the state party’s nearly 100 committee members to oust Karamo.
Whether Karamo survives the vote or not, the state party faces significant challenges, including a large debt and the need to quickly regroup ahead of the 2024 election.
The turmoil comes less than two months before the state party will host a convention to allocate Republican presidential delegates. Additionally, Republicans are seeking to win a Senate seat in the state for the first time since 1994 and are looking to gain a majority in the Michigan House after Democrats won control in 2022.
Karamo and the party are also facing a lawsuit relating to debts and attempting to sell their headquarters to pay off the debts.
The outcome of the meeting on Saturday will determine the future of leadership within the Michigan GOP and could have implications for the crucial 2024 election.