(The Center Square) – Over the weekend, the Michigan GOP State Committee said it voted to expel its chair Kristen Karamo.
Karamo, elected in February of 2023, posted on social media Saturday the meeting was “illegitimate.”
“37% of the MIGOP State Committee voting at an illegitimate meeting did not remove the Chair of the Michigan Republican Party (me) today. The meeting was not an official meeting of the State Committee.
The uniparty controlled media reporting to the contrary, means nothing,” according to the post
The January 13th Special Meeting will proceed as planned, and I hope to see all our members. Nothing will stop better political representation. #closedprimaries,” the post read.
Last week, eight of 13 GOP chairs congressional chairs called for her to resign.
On Saturday, an email from Acting Chairwoman Malinda Pego said: “The Michigan Republican Party remains steadfast in its commitment to operate with the highest integrity and ethics.”
“For me, this is not a happy day. It is a somber day. However, the bylaws process and rules were followed. Now is the time to unify Republicans and grow our voter base to win elections throughout our state in 2024 and beyond.”
In a written Jan. 13 proposal, Karamo said they should allow caucuses to choose candidates for partisan positions.
The proposal reads in part: “The Republican National Committee has not adopted rules for the selection of candidates except those of the US President and US Vice-President, so the Michigan Republican Party is free to select candidates in any way the party determines.”
Caucus rules to be written and passed and published by the Policy Committee by Monday, February 12, 2024All duly elected delegates from the most recent primary or elevated delegates shall be given notice and sent invitations to the county caucus.There shall be a fee structure implemented for all positions.Each county will elect all partisan positions within the county.Each county will be able to nominate one nominee for any position that crosses multiple county lines to be elected at district or state caucuses.
Currently, Michigan voters choose their political party in August.
Angela Benander, director of communications and media relations for Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, told The Center Square the proposal isn’t legal under current law.
The Michigan House is currently deadlocked 54-54 although Democrats still hold the Speaker’s gavel until a special election fills two seats vacated by candidates winning mayoral elections in Warren and Westland.
Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, posted on social media in support of selecting nominees through a primary instead of a caucus.
“Republican voters should select their nominees through a primary,” Nesbitt said. “Hopefully the folks at the Party can focus on turning out Republican voters and help Republican candidates win in 2024, instead of working to disenfranchise millions of hardworking Republican voters.”
