(The Center Square) – Joseph Cella, the former Trump-appointed ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga and Tuvalu, has thrown in his bid to be the next chair of the Michigan Republican Party.
Born in Michigan, Cella said he is excited for the opportunity to potentially lead Republicans in the state in the 2026 election.
“I saw an opening to bring the totality of my leadership experience to rebuild the party,” Cella told The Center Square in an exclusive interview. “The footings have been poured and the pilings have been set to rebuild it.”
Republicans are set to elect a new chair at their state convention in Detroit on Feb. 21 and 22. Cella is facing off against a three candidates: former party co-chair Meshawn Maddock, State Sen. Jim Runestad, and Scott Greenlee.
Cella said that it is time to bring stability to the state party.
“It has really suffered through a lot of tumult, chaos and drama over the last few years,” he said. “Now is a great opportunity to work with President Trump and fight for him as he works to Make America Great Again, while abiding by America First principles and Michigan First principles.”
A father of seven, Cella said he has long had a love for politics and public policy. After graduating from Hillsdale College in 1991, he began managing local, state, and federal campaigns.
“My call was to lead, serve and fight in the trenches for constitutional, conservative principles and I have been successful in doing that over the span of my 35-year career,” Cella said.
During President Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, Cella served as the Catholic Liaison and managed the campaign’s Catholic Advisory Group. He also served on the 2016 Presidential Transition Team, before returning home to Michigan.
“We had a newborn and I wasn’t seeking a job,” Cella said. “Six months later, I got the call from the White House to serve as United States Ambassador to Fiji and four other South Pacific island nations.” Cella served in that role from 2019 to 2021.
Cella said it would be his mission as the chair of the Michigan Republican Party to get the party back to a winning footing.
“If I’m elected, I will work closely to hold the seats we have and gain the ones we don’t,” Cella said.
The last few years have been a struggle for Republicans in the state, with Democrats holding an unprecedented trifecta in state leadership from 2022 to 2024. In the 2024 General Election, Republicans successfully took back the state House.
In the 2026 election, many high-stakes seats will appear on the ballot, including the state legislature, the governorship, many state-level seats, and even a U.S. Senate seat after Democrat Sen. Gary Peters recently announced he does not plan to run for a third term.
“2026 presents one of the greatest opportunities for the Republican Party in decades to reshape state and federal government and leadership in Michigan,” Cella said. “It’s just imperative we have the Republican Party doing one thing: supporting the Republican nominee who can best defeat the Democrat in these consequential fights.”
Practically, Cella is calling for a “bold and creative” revitalization of the Michigan Republican Party’s communications, fundraising, and education operations.
“Republicans are looking to really build on the win of President Trump,” said Cella, who was recently endorsed by former Speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich.
Cella added that, as chair, he would prioritize bringing accountability and transparency to the state party.
“I’m a Lansing outsider. I’m not in Lansing nor am I of Lansing,” Cella said. “I hope to . . . make the Michigan Republican Party great again.”
