Michigan Republicans Vote to Remove State GOP Chairwoman Kristina Karamo
Michigan Republicans have voted to remove election denier and state GOP Chairwoman Kristina Karamo during a meeting Saturday after many of the party’s leaders called for her resignation following a year of leadership plagued by debt and infighting.
The move to oust Karamo came during a meeting held in Commerce Township, Michigan. Nearly 89% of attendees voted to remove Karamo, with about 45 people present, not including proxies, at the meeting. Current co-chair Malinda Pego will now serve as acting chair until another election for chair is held.
However, Karamo, who did not attend the meeting, has made it clear she will not recognize the vote if removed, claiming the meeting was not official and had been illegally organized. This situation could potentially lead to a court battle to determine control of the highest position within the Michigan GOP.
The internal dispute comes as Michigan Republicans are looking to bounce back from historic losses during the 2022 midterms. The party is aiming to flip an open U.S. Senate seat and win the state in the next presidential election.
Karamo, who rose through Michigan’s Republican ranks by spreading election conspiracies after the 2020 presidential election, lost by 14 percentage points in the 2022 secretary of state race, a result that she still refuses to concede.
The situation also highlights a larger issue within some state GOPs across the country, as parties overtaken by far-right leadership have struggled to overcome infighting and money issues. Similar situations have unfolded in states like Georgia and Arizona.
Karamo has faced criticism from some party members for financial instability and insufficient fundraising. The state party is dealing with nearly $500,000 in debt, along with other financial obligations.
The move to remove Karamo comes less than two months before the state party will host a convention to allocate Republican presidential delegates, and as the party looks to win a Senate seat in November.
It’s uncertain what the next steps will be, and how this situation will impact the Michigan GOP’s efforts in the upcoming election.