Huddled in Detroit, precinct delegates of the Michigan Republican Party selected their leadership for the next two years—a decision that will significantly impact the critical 2026 elections.
Three candidates vied for the Chair position. On a second ballot, State Senator Jim Runestad defeated activist Meshawn Maddock by a 62–37 margin. Former Trump Ambassador to Fiji Joe Cella was eliminated in the first round and promptly endorsed Runestad, dealing a blow to Maddock—even after Maddock received a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump.
The Gateway Pundit had endorsed Meshawn Maddock.
Understanding the dynamics and tensions within the party requires a look at several recent flash points and controversies. Key moments include the fallout from the 2020 election, the 2022 gubernatorial race, and the election—and subsequent removal—of former Chair Kristina Karamo. The candidates for Chair appeared to represent different factions: one long-time campaign consultant noted that, generally, the “Karamo faction” backed Runestad, the Tea Party wave of activists supported Maddock, and the older establishment favored Cella.
Many counties and coalitions that had strongly supported Karamo rallied behind Runestad. These supporters were angered by what they saw as attacks by long-time party elites on Karamo, whose repeated legal battles over control of the party eventually led courts to name Pete Hoekstra as Chair. Karamo’s supporters derisively refer to Hoekstra as “Hoaxstra” to underscore their belief that he was never properly elected. Karamo was voted out by 37 delegates at a specially called state committee meeting she did not attend in protest—a decision later ratified by a Michigan judge, Joseph Rossi, who was alleged to have financial ties to the anti-Karamo DeVos family.
Ottawa County activist John DeBlaay posted online, “The grassroots Republicans (Real Republicans) of Michigan have chosen the best Conservative candidate for MIGOP Chairman that will lead our party back to unifying, developing and supporting Real Republicans!” His comments reflect a broader resistance to Trump’s endorsement power—a power that has supported a series of controversial figures such as Mike Rogers, who once denounced January 6th defendants as traitors and was generally a Never-Trumper before his Trump-backed U.S. Senate primary in 2024.
Another Runestad supporter, Jerry Fennell of Montcalm, told The Gateway Pundit that he appreciated Runestad’s plan for organizing the grassroots. However, Fennell also repeatedly referred to Runestad as “Rumsfeld.” Some critics complained that the influx of new precinct delegates meant that legislative and campaign experience was being overlooked, with newer delegates touting Runestad as a strong conservative voice while some older delegates questioned his sincerity since Runestad’s conversion to right-wing firebrand has coincided with his decision to run for party chair.
Notably, none of the races with three or more candidates reached the necessary 50% majority in the first round. All such contests—the Chair, Administrative, and Youth races—required a second ballot.
On the first round of balloting, it was clear that Runestad was going to prevail. Runestad had 45%, Maddock 32% and Cella 20%. Maddock needed all of the Cella votes to prevail, and Runestad was very close to winning.
The candidates faced different criticisms. Joe Cella was accused of being promoted by the party’s moderate big donors, including funders like the DeVos family of Grand Rapids. Cella had authored a letter in 2017 referring to Trump as divisive, unqualified, and dangerous. Maddock was criticized both for the 2022 endorsement process and for actions taken during her tenure as Co-Chair, including her close relationship with consultant John Yob, which some claimed involved financial improprieties with Yob being paid as a consultant on state races. Runestad was criticized by some for attempting to balance his role as a state senator with that of Party Chair during a major election cycle.
Scott Greenlee had been in the Chair race until February 4th, when he dropped out and endorsed Meshawn Maddock.
Despite Runestad’s vocal criticism of Maddock’s unique consultant ties, every candidate used a consultant and manager: Cella’s campaign manager was Warren Carpenter, Maddock’s was Patrick Lee, and Runestad’s was Scott Hagerstrom.
Looking ahead, major statewide races are scheduled in 18 months, including contests for Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. All 38 state senators—each serving four-year terms—will face reelection in 2026, with many being term-limited from seeking another term. On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has announced her candidacy for Governor, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has declared an independent bid. Among Republicans, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt is the only one so far to announce a gubernatorial run, though other names are being floated.
Adding to the internal party drama, Maddock is one of 15 prosecuted Trump electors from 2020. She, along with others, faces charges—including forgery—from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is pursuing prosecution of electors who signed a document intended to prompt Congress to investigate voter fraud claims from the 2020 election.
In a separate contest for Coalitions Chair, long-time party activist Marian Sheridan lost to Chris Long. Both Long and Joe Cella claimed responsibility for halting plans by the Gotion company to proceed with a semiconductor plant in rural western Michigan—a project alleged to be linked to the Communist Chinese government. Like Maddock, Sheridan is being prosecuted as one of the 2020 Trump electors.
Two of the three Chair candidates remained relatively silent on issues such as voter fraud and comments about January 6th defendants until recently. Meanwhile, all candidates worked hard to secure last-minute votes—handing out literature, campaign stickers, and water bottles as they courted delegates.
At one point, amid rising tensions, Maddock told The Gateway Pundit, “This could end up being the worst day of my life.” Despite the Trump endorsement, Maddock later ultimately lost the Chair race by a 62–38 margin on the second ballot. Maddock cast the ceremonial “unanimous ballot” for Runestad after receiving the losing results.
The 2025 Republican Convention was held at Huntington Place in Michigan’s largest city—a venue previously known as the TCF Center and Cobo Hall, and remembered as the site of the contentious 2020 absentee ballot tabulations. Protesters once shouted “Stop the Count!” and “Stop the Steal” there, demanding Republican poll watchers be present. Maddock was one of the more prominent individuals photographed protesting at the windows, arguing for legal election processes during the 2020 election night.
The choice to stay at Huntington Place was influenced by the controversial tenure of former Chair Kristina Karamo. Elected in 2022 over a Trump-endorsed Matt DePerno, Karamo later signed a reported $200,000 contract with Detroit’s main convention center. She was ultimately deposed in court and replaced by former Congressman Pete Hoekstra—who has since been named Ambassador to Canada by President Trump and did not seek reelection or express a preference for his replacement. After Hoekstra replaced Karamo, however, the contract to get out of using Huntington Place could not be cancelled. As a result, the party had a ‘credit’ on file to be used or lost, so the convention was held in Detroit. The location was inconvenient for those in Northern Michigan, some of whom complained that the decision would favor one Chair candidate. Party insiders say it was a purely financial decision.
Additional controversy arose over venue costs. Huntington Place did not refund the deposit (initially put down by Karamo before her court-ordered removal); instead, the party received only a credit for a future conference. As a result, participants were charged high prices for water and food, and the venue requested an extra $2,000 for a side room used for vote tabulation.
Despite the high stakes and factional disputes, the convention’s vote tabulation proceeded without major incident; all participants were required to show photo identification to vote.
The contest highlights ongoing clashes among various loosely organized factions within the Michigan Republican Party—grasses, big-money donors, long-time party workers, and elected officials. Frustrations from the previous Trump endorsement process were evident.
Former 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidate and pastor Ralph Rebrandt told The Gateway Pundit, “We need a fresh start. Fresh leadership that will be fair to all candidates is what’s needed most right now. The system is rigged when people with the most money can buy their spot on the endorsed and supported candidates list and bypass people who have the skills to unite the party and the state.” Although Rebrandt initially wished to remain anonymous, after the first ballot he agreed to be quoted by name for the entire quote.
Meanwhile, Tudor Dixon—Trump’s 2022 gubernatorial candidate—had been seen at events for Chair candidate Joe Cella, who ultimately finished third. Dixon has since congratulated Runestad.
The media table at the convention, filled with agents of the fake news complex, largely sat silent during the process and did not engage activists or delegates. The Detroit News’ disgraced reporter Craig Mauger was one such reporter out of a small group of 18 officially credentialed for the convention.
Runestad, the newly elected Chair, brings experience from the State House and Senate—having won two terms in the House and currently serving his second term as a state senator. Now responsible for a party that competes in as many as 15,000 elected positions statewide, he faces criticism from former staffers who accuse him of micromanagement and obsessing over trivial details.
During the convention, Runestad was also served a lawsuit initiated by John Yob over text messages alleging that Yob had profited improperly during Ron Weiser’s tenure as Chair. Anonymous websites alleged that Yob received a combined 50% commission from radio ad sales—a claim that some blamed on campaign manager Warren Carpenter for Cella and others on Runestad’s campaign manager, Scott Hagerstrom.
The convention started at 9:00AM and closed with the release of final results by 3:30PM. Most had left by the end, having cast their ballots confident that their nominee prevailed.
As the final results were announced, the atmosphere was subdued. Many delegates left quietly, with some joking that cleaning up the room was a sign they were not Democrats. Amidst departing families and people waiting for rides, the new Chair Jim Runestad engaged with reporters at the front of the room.
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