He may not have official authority, but the RNC would fire her and hire Clayton Bigsby if Trump told them to.
Republican infighting
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Missouri Republican Leader Wants To Expel Conservative Senator Amid Rising Tensions in the State Senate
The Missouri Senate finds itself embroiled in a fierce internal struggle as the Republican majority grapples with a conservative faction that has brought legislative proceedings to a standstill.Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin made a statement recently, expressing her desire to expel Senator Bill Eigel, a prominent member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, further demonstrating the escalating tensions within the party.
The Missouri Senate, in session for four weeks, has yet to advance any legislation on the floor due to procedural maneuvers employed by conservative Republicans aligned with the newly formed Freedom Caucus.
This caucus is advocating for swift consideration of a proposed constitutional amendment designed to raise the bar for passing citizen-led ballot initiatives, notably those supporting abortion rights.
Last week, Senate Republican leaders took decisive action against the Freedom Caucus by stripping four of its members of committee chairmanships and prime parking spots. This move showed the growing frustration within the party over the obstructionist tactics employed by the conservative faction.
In one recent interaction with reporters at the annual Missouri Press Association event, Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin did not mince words when she expressed her desire to expel Senator Bill Eigel from the chamber.
O’Laughlin criticized the escalating conflict within the party, calling it “juvenile” and “terrible.” However, she acknowledged the difficulty of such an expulsion, as it requires a two-thirds majority vote, including support from some minority party Democrats.
In response to her expulsion remarks, the internal discord reached a boiling point when Senator Bill Eigel confronted O’Laughlin on the Senate floor. Eigel, an unapologetic member of the Freedom Caucus and a gubernatorial candidate, passionately defended his bold leadership style and unwavering beliefs.
He challenged anyone seeking expulsion, asserting he would not bow to such pressure. This internal rift has significant consequences beyond political infighting. Senate approval for Governor Mike Parson’s appointments to crucial state departments, university governing boards, and the state highways commission has been slowed down.
Governor Parson expressed frustration, emphasizing that these political struggles should not hinder individuals willing to serve on state boards. He called the impact on these appointees “simply not right.”
The impasse has prompted reflection not only from Republicans but also from Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, the top Democrat in the chamber. Rizzo lamented the current state of affairs, criticizing the inability of lawmakers to move beyond internal conflicts and focus on addressing the needs of the state.
He described the situation as resembling “reality TV,” where political posturing precedes substantive policy debates. As the Missouri Senate grapples with its internal divisions, the broader implications of this Republican feud are felt across the state.
The inability to conduct legislative business raises questions about the party’s capacity to govern effectively and fulfill its commitments to the people of Missouri. The unfolding drama calls attention to the challenges faced by political leaders striving to balance internal ideological differences while advancing the public interest
‘Read the Constitution’: Republican Hits Back at Marjorie Taylor Greene Telling Him to ‘Grow Some Courage’ Over Mayorkas Impeachment
Conservative Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) joined host John McArdle on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal Wednesday morning to discuss the drama in the House the night before, in which a vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas failed.
McArdle noted that McClintock broke party ranks to vote against the impeachment and “took some heat from some of your Republican colleagues on that.”
“Not sure if you saw Marjorie Taylor Greene comments to reporters leaving that conference meeting, but this is about 40 seconds of it for you,” McArdle added before playing the clip.
“Mr. McClintock said that he’s not going to impeach my office today. He said it would unconstitutionally expand impeachment. What’s your reaction to that?” Greene is asked in the clip.
“Well, my reaction is clearly he’s not paying attention to the American people. And he is he’s failing his oath of office. That’s what I would say. I would say he needs to grow some courage and read the room. The room is our country. And the American people are fed up with millions of people abusing our laws. America’s breaking the law and allowing millions of people to invade. He needs to do the right thing. And I would urge all of my colleagues to do the right thing, grow some courage, and actually do something for once, for once in this Congress,” replied Greene, clearly frustrated.
“Congressman McClintock, your reaction?” followed up McArdle.
“Well, instead of reading the room, I suggest that maybe she read the Constitution. She took an oath to support and defend the Constitution that very clearly lays out the grounds for impeachment. This dumbs down those grounds dramatically and would set a precedent that could be turned against the conservatives on the Supreme Court or a future Republican administration. The moment the Democrats take control of the Congress,” McClintock responded.
McClintock also took calls from viewers, including one from an angry Republican in his district who pressed him on his “no” vote. McClintock repeated his argument, noting that the founding fathers made clear the standard for impeachment and he was unwilling to change it.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Claims Republicans Were 'Bribed' or Black Mailed To Oppose Homeland Security Secretary Impeachment:
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Wednesday alleged that members of her party might have been bribed to vote against the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.What Happened: Greene made the claim in an interview with right-wing podcast host Charlie Kirk. The conversation followed the failed impeachment vote on Tuesday, in which the Georgia representative expressed her disappointment about the outcome.
In the dialogue with Kirk, Greene did not dismiss the possibility that Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) were “being bribed”.
The host asked Greene, "Do you think these people are being blackmailed by the intel agencies? They might have had relations with certain people and pictures and compromised. Do you think that they’re currently being blackmailed?"
“You know, I have no proof of that, but again, I can’t understand the vote. So, nothing surprises me in Washington, D.C. anymore, Charlie. Literally, nothing surprises me because it doesn’t make sense to anyone, right? Why would anyone vote no? Why would anyone protect Mayorkas unless they’re being bribed, unless there’s something going on, unless they’re making a deal. You know, because you can’t understand it. It makes no sense. And it’s completely wrong to vote no on impeachment,” she responded.
Greene also speculated that Buck, who is retiring, is seeking a role with CNN, while she doubted McClintock’s credentials as a “constitutionalist”. As for Gallagher, despite acknowledging his military intelligence and military qualifications, she expressed confusion over his vote.
Despite Greene’s insinuations, the Republicans who voted against the impeachment have been transparent about their reasons. Gallagher explained his opposition in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, stating that the impeachment would set a dangerous precedent. McClintock also defended his vote, emphasizing that the impeachment would not serve its intended purpose.
Why It Matters: Greene’s recent comments are not the first time she has made headlines for her controversial statements and actions. Earlier this week, a Democratic congressman accused Greene of “running the circus” in Congress due to her attempts to impeach Mayorkas and censure Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) criticized Greene for wasting time on “revenge, retaliation and impeachment.”
The Biden administration on Monday criticized the Republican effort to impeach the Homeland Security Secretary as an "unprecedented and unconstitutional" political maneuver. They argue that this move undermines the genuine challenge of securing the southern U.S. border.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Greene stormed out of a House Oversight hearing after being confronted about her support for the Jan. 6 Capitol rioters. During the hearing, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) pointed out the irony of Greene expressing concern about crime in Washington, D.C.. He reminded her that she had organized a visit to the D.C. jail to show support for the insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol.
Josh Hawley Calls Republican Leadership a 'Total Embarrassment'
Senator Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, slammed GOP leadership as a "total embarrassment" after the Senate failed to pass a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the U.S.-Mexico border amid a rise in migrant arrivals.The Senate voted down the bipartisan legislation, which would also have allocated funds to U.S. allies such as Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine on Wednesday evening by a vote of 49-50. The vote was largely on party lines, with five Democrats opposing the bill and four Republicans supporting it, but added to questions about whether Congress would be able to act on immigration reform and border security amid deep divisions over the issue.
Conservative Republican senators moved to tank the bill after it was unveiled over the weekend, arguing it did not go far enough to secure the southern border and made too many concessions to Democrats, who control the Senate. GOP leadership is now facing backlash from many conservatives over the legislation.
Hawley, a conservative who voted against the bill, lashed out at leadership in remarks to Punchbowl News.
"Oh, I think Republican leadership has shown they're a well-oiled machine. They just do great. Couldn't be improved upon. Absolutely have it all together. Very impressive. No, it's a total embarrassment," he said.
The outlet noted that Hawley's remarks were "dripping with sarcasm."
Hawley earlier spoke out against the bill, describing it as a "huge middle finger to working people" in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
GOP Leadership Faces MAGA Rebellion
Hawley is not the first Republican senator to raise concerns about the state of the party's leadership.Texas Senator Ted Cruz said earlier in the week that he believes Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's time in leadership should come to an end. When asked by a reporter if it is time for McConnell to step down, Cruz said "I think it is."
Utah Senator Mike Lee described the bill as "disqualifying" in a post on X.
"Senate GOP leadership screwed this up—and screwed us. Even while refusing to let us see the bill they claimed to be negotiating on our behalf—for MONTHS—they were never in doubt, insisting we'd be dumb and even unpatriotic NOT to support it. This is a disqualifying betrayal," Lee wrote on Sunday.
Passing immigration legislation has proven to be a difficult task due to the divided nature of the federal government. While Democrats have the White House and hold a majority in the Senate, Republicans currently control the House of Representatives, meaning any bill would have to appease members from both major political parties.
The bill addressed key concerns faced at the southern border, increased the ICE detention capacity from 34,000 to 50,000 and allocated $20 billion to immigration enforcement. It also included $14 billion in aid to Israel, $60 billion for Ukraine, $4.83 billion to Indo-Pacific nations and $10 billion in humanitarian funding for Ukraine, Gaza and the West Bank.
Amid the chaos, Senator Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican who voted in support of the bill, warned that politics has become "the art of the impossible" in remarks to reporters Wednesday.
So they knew it was going to fail but did the vote on a hope and a prayer any way and are now blaming everyone but themselves for it failing.
GOP Whip Tom Emmer says Republican leadership KNEW Mayorkas impeachment vote would fail on the floor but 'hoped' some members would change their minds
- 'We know what the votes are when we go to the floor,' said the Minnesota Republican
- 'We were hopeful that a couple of our members would change their mind,' Emmer noted in a sit-down interview with DailyMail.com
'We know what the votes are when we go to the floor,' said the Minnesota Republican who is responsible for wrangling votes in the free-wheeling GOP conference to pass his party's agenda.
On Tuesday night, the impeachment of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas failed, just one vote short of what it needed to pass. Moments later a bill to offer $17.6 billion to Israel failed to reach the two-thirds majority it needed to pass under suspension of the rules.
'We were hopeful that a couple of our members would change their mind,' Emmer noted in a sit-down interview with DailyMail.com.
The House's number three Republican Tom Emmer insisted he knew Tuesday night's impeachment and Israel votes would result in dual blunders but leadership was 'hopeful' they could change the minds of their colleagues
'But we knew that we had to have the vote because it's our constitutional obligation to follow through. Mayorkas has willfully and systemically subverted existing federal law.'
The Supreme Court began hearing arguments Thursday in a case that will decide whether former President Donald Trump can be kicked off the Colorado ballot in 2024, in a matter that could ripple through other states. Trump has blasted the Colorado decision as a violation of his rights as a candidate, and is preparing to weigh in at events in Florida and Nevada. Unlike in some of his other high profile cases, he opted not to attend in person.©AP
Republicans were seemingly caught by surprise when Democrats wheeled in Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who had just had surgery, to cast the kill shot on the Mayorkas impeachment.
The final vote was 214-216, with GOP Conference Vice Chair Blake Moore switching his vote to 'no' so he could bring the resolution up again.
'Their floor director was literally telling our floor director that Al Green was not going to be here,' Emmer admitted.
'But we don't trust any of that,' he went on. 'That was up to them to make sure their members were there and they were.'
'I saw somewhere somebody tried to say that we were relying on that. Absolutely not. That was up to them to make sure their members were there and they were.'
House GOP leadership has insisted they will impeach the Homeland Security secretary when Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., returns from recovering from cancer treatment.
But that will have to happen soon or Republicans risk being down another vote.
The special election to replace ousted Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., is next week - and it’s not clear what party will capture the seat.
Three Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against the impeachment resolution: Reps. Ken Buck, R-Colo., Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Tom McClintock, R-Calif.
‘I respect a people who want to take a different position on the Constitution. They're ignoring the fact that we did follow the constitutional process,’ Emmer said of the three defectors.
He tore into Democrats who opposed the standalone Israel bill - which was a way to undercut the Senate’s negotiated immigration and national security aid package that House Republicans opposed long before it was even released.
‘That should have passed. Almost 80 percent of Democrats voted no to support our greatest ally in the world.’
Fourteen Republicans opposed the aid bill, as did 166 Democrats.
Emmer said he believed the Israel aid bill would come up again.
He said he ‘respected’ the 14 conservatives who voted against the aid package because it didn’t include pay-fors, but ‘that is not by the way, what is a putting this country in such a bad financial position? And we're dealing with Israel's right to survive.’
After the Senate immigration and Ukraine/Israel deal fell apart, the upper chamber is now advancing a $95 billion bill that includes funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan but offers no border provisions.
‘There was never a border deal. Never. There was a conversation amongst that apparently a very small group of people,’ Emmer said of the deal. ‘It doesn’t close the border at all.’
The whip did not rule out the House taking up a package to advance Israel and Ukraine aid without touching the fraught immigration issue.
‘If they do that and send it over, we'll see what the speaker wants to do.’
Texas Republicans censure House Speaker Dade Phelan
The Texas GOP censured the Speaker of its state House of Representatives on Saturday, Rep. Dade Phelan (R), after he voted to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), according to a press release.
“The Republican Party of Texas officially censured Representative Dade Phelan today, imposing the full set of penalties allowed by the rules, for lack of fidelity to Republican principles and priorities,” the release by the Lone Star State’s Republican Party read. “Rule 44 of the Republican Party of Texas allows the party to censure elected officials who violate Republican Party of Texas principles and priorities three times or more in a given biennium.”
“The censure of Rep. Phelan details five such instances on issues such as the impeachment of [Paxton], Democrat Committee Chairs, border security, and educational freedom,” the release continued.
The Texas House voted to impeach Paxton back in May of last year, after a House investigative committee recommended his impeachment, finding the attorney general had “used, misused, or failed to use his official powers in a manner calculated to subvert the lawful operation of the government.” Phelan stood by the impeachment of Paxton and was one of 60 Republicans in the Lone Star State’s House to vote to impeach him.
According to the Texas GOP release, the original censure resolution was first passed by the Jasper County Republican Party and needed a three-fifths vote to pass the state’s Republican Executive Committee. The final vote total was 55 in favor and four opposed, with four abstentions.
Former President Trump endorsed a primary challenger to Phelan last month, specifically pointing out the Texas House Speaker’s role in Paxton’s impeachment.
“David Covey is running against Dade Phelan, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, who led the Fraudulent Impeachment of the recently re-elected, in a landslide, Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton,” Trump wrote on social media.
“David is an America First Conservative who will Secure the Border, Restore Election Integrity, Protect our Families and Military/Vets, and Defend our under siege Second Amendment,” he continued.
The Texas GOP censured the Speaker of its state House of Representatives on Saturday, Rep. Dade Phelan (R), after he voted to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), according to a press release.
“The Republican Party of Texas officially censured Representative Dade Phelan today, imposing the full set of penalties allowed by the rules, for lack of fidelity to Republican principles and priorities,” the release by the Lone Star State’s Republican Party read. “Rule 44 of the Republican Party of Texas allows the party to censure elected officials who violate Republican Party of Texas principles and priorities three times or more in a given biennium.”
“The censure of Rep. Phelan details five such instances on issues such as the impeachment of [Paxton], Democrat Committee Chairs, border security, and educational freedom,” the release continued.
The Texas House voted to impeach Paxton back in May of last year, after a House investigative committee recommended his impeachment, finding the attorney general had “used, misused, or failed to use his official powers in a manner calculated to subvert the lawful operation of the government.” Phelan stood by the impeachment of Paxton and was one of 60 Republicans in the Lone Star State’s House to vote to impeach him.
According to the Texas GOP release, the original censure resolution was first passed by the Jasper County Republican Party and needed a three-fifths vote to pass the state’s Republican Executive Committee. The final vote total was 55 in favor and four opposed, with four abstentions.
Former President Trump endorsed a primary challenger to Phelan last month, specifically pointing out the Texas House Speaker’s role in Paxton’s impeachment.
“David Covey is running against Dade Phelan, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, who led the Fraudulent Impeachment of the recently re-elected, in a landslide, Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton,” Trump wrote on social media.
“David is an America First Conservative who will Secure the Border, Restore Election Integrity, Protect our Families and Military/Vets, and Defend our under siege Second Amendment,” he continued.
They are grabbing control by threatening people with their jobs, by a vindictive person who MAY be elected as POTUS and while as POTUS has NO CONTROL or AUTHORITY over Congress. It is one of 3 Branches. This is total Dictatorship control !!!
The new Ukraine/Israel Funding bill has been passed by the Senate after having all the bipartisan Border stuff stripped from it.
Now Trump Stooges JD Vance and Marjorie Taylor Greene are threatening ALL HOUSE REPUBLICANS with their Career if they dare vote in favor of this funding package for Israel and Ukraine.
The bill states that the POTUS can not remove this funding provide by Congress and JD Vance is trying to claim that this is the next impeachment trap the Deep State is setting for Trump because if they pass it now and when Trump wins in 2024 and removes the Funding, then they will try to impeach him for it.
The new Ukraine/Israel Funding bill has been passed by the Senate after having all the bipartisan Border stuff stripped from it.
Now Trump Stooges JD Vance and Marjorie Taylor Greene are threatening ALL HOUSE REPUBLICANS with their Career if they dare vote in favor of this funding package for Israel and Ukraine.
The bill states that the POTUS can not remove this funding provide by Congress and JD Vance is trying to claim that this is the next impeachment trap the Deep State is setting for Trump because if they pass it now and when Trump wins in 2024 and removes the Funding, then they will try to impeach him for it.
Congresswoman Threatens House Republicans, "Career Will Be Over
mugatu
Ranger
Funny thing is that if Trump does win in November this account would probably be emptied out by end of year anyway just to make sure it doesn't get canceled by the next administration.
mugatu
Ranger
Feels like that about half the GOP.
PF5
Ranger
Divided Michigan Republicans plan dueling meetings to choose presidential nominee reuters
KALAMAZOO, Michigan, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Warring factions within the Michigan Republican Party are planning to hold separate meetings next month to choose the party's presidential nominee, the latest sign of the turmoil gripping the party in the key battleground state.
Pete Hoekstra, who this week was formally recognized by the Republican National Committee (RNC) as state party chair, said on Friday he would preside over a nominating convention on March 2, separate from one planned on the same date by Kristina Karamo, who also claims to be chair.
The turmoil in the party has raised fears among Republicans in the state that it could hurt the candidacy of former President Donald Trump if he prevails and becomes the party's nominee in the November general election. State party structures play a key role in raising money and getting out the vote.
Karamo was voted out of her position in January by a group of Michigan Republicans unhappy with her performance, but she did not accept that vote. She has also said she does not recognize the RNC's decision.
Hoekstra, who was endorsed by Trump last month, told Reuters he would oversee caucus meetings for all 13 congressional districts "under one roof as required by the RNC." He did not say where it would be held.
"The results of that convention will be recognized by the RNC because we are the legitimate Republican Party. Whatever happens at another meeting is just noise," he said.
Karamo, meanwhile, is planning to hold a nominating convention in Detroit on March 2, where she has told delegates to also be ready to vote to resolve the leadership dispute, according to Bridge Michigan, a news site that first reported on the dueling conventions.
Karamo, a former community college instructor and grassroots activist who was elevated to her post in February 2023, did not respond to a request for comment.
In a change from past elections, this year Michigan Republicans will allocate its presidential delegates to the Republican National Convention in July in Milwaukee based on both a Feb. 27 primary open to all voters and the March 2 caucus convention in which active party members choose the nominee.
Of Michigan's 55 delegates, 16 will be decided in the primary and 39 in the caucuses. The hybrid system is expected to advantage Trump, who is far ahead of sole challenger Nikki Haley in national opinion polls, because of his grip on the party loyalists who will be at the caucus meetings.
Michael Schostak, a delegate from Bloomfield Township, said he planned to attend the convention chaired by Hoekstra, in part because he expected those delegates to be seated by the RNC at the national convention in July in Milwaukee.
After running unsuccessfully for Michigan secretary of state in 2022, Karamo ran for the party's top position with a promise to break free from the big donors she vilified as part of the "establishment" while expanding the base of small donors.
But she has failed to deliver on that promise while angering many of her supporters with what they called a lack of transparency from her administration.
KALAMAZOO, Michigan, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Warring factions within the Michigan Republican Party are planning to hold separate meetings next month to choose the party's presidential nominee, the latest sign of the turmoil gripping the party in the key battleground state.
Pete Hoekstra, who this week was formally recognized by the Republican National Committee (RNC) as state party chair, said on Friday he would preside over a nominating convention on March 2, separate from one planned on the same date by Kristina Karamo, who also claims to be chair.
The turmoil in the party has raised fears among Republicans in the state that it could hurt the candidacy of former President Donald Trump if he prevails and becomes the party's nominee in the November general election. State party structures play a key role in raising money and getting out the vote.
Karamo was voted out of her position in January by a group of Michigan Republicans unhappy with her performance, but she did not accept that vote. She has also said she does not recognize the RNC's decision.
Hoekstra, who was endorsed by Trump last month, told Reuters he would oversee caucus meetings for all 13 congressional districts "under one roof as required by the RNC." He did not say where it would be held.
"The results of that convention will be recognized by the RNC because we are the legitimate Republican Party. Whatever happens at another meeting is just noise," he said.
Karamo, meanwhile, is planning to hold a nominating convention in Detroit on March 2, where she has told delegates to also be ready to vote to resolve the leadership dispute, according to Bridge Michigan, a news site that first reported on the dueling conventions.
Karamo, a former community college instructor and grassroots activist who was elevated to her post in February 2023, did not respond to a request for comment.
In a change from past elections, this year Michigan Republicans will allocate its presidential delegates to the Republican National Convention in July in Milwaukee based on both a Feb. 27 primary open to all voters and the March 2 caucus convention in which active party members choose the nominee.
Of Michigan's 55 delegates, 16 will be decided in the primary and 39 in the caucuses. The hybrid system is expected to advantage Trump, who is far ahead of sole challenger Nikki Haley in national opinion polls, because of his grip on the party loyalists who will be at the caucus meetings.
Michael Schostak, a delegate from Bloomfield Township, said he planned to attend the convention chaired by Hoekstra, in part because he expected those delegates to be seated by the RNC at the national convention in July in Milwaukee.
After running unsuccessfully for Michigan secretary of state in 2022, Karamo ran for the party's top position with a promise to break free from the big donors she vilified as part of the "establishment" while expanding the base of small donors.
But she has failed to deliver on that promise while angering many of her supporters with what they called a lack of transparency from her administration.
Stillwater Townie
Ranger
Lauren Boebert Met GOP Voters in Her New District. It Got Ugly
“I don’t appreciate, as a Christian, people saying they’re Christian to get your vote and then turning out to be a lowlife, and now I just kind of think of her as a lowlife,” Judy Scofield, a retired university employee, told the Journal.
https://newrepublic.com/post/179126/lauren-boebert-republican-voters-new-district
“I don’t appreciate, as a Christian, people saying they’re Christian to get your vote and then turning out to be a lowlife, and now I just kind of think of her as a lowlife,” Judy Scofield, a retired university employee, told the Journal.
https://newrepublic.com/post/179126/lauren-boebert-republican-voters-new-district
So Michigan is going to have TWO GOP nominations ??
Former Congressman Pete Hoekstra, the new Michigan GOP chair as recognized by the Republican National Committee, announced Tuesday that the state Republican Party will hold a presidential nominating convention to allocate 39 of the state's 55 presidential delegates on March 2 in Grand Rapids. But Karamo and her backers plan to hold a convention the same day in Detroit.
Meanwhile, hearings regarding the dispute over Michigan’s GOP chair position are scheduled for later this week, and a judge could resolve the situation before the convention events.
Karamo was voted out as party chair by some members in the party during a Jan. 6 meeting, but she has refused to accept the results, claiming the meeting was not official and had been illegally organized.
The Republican National Committee, or RNC, recognized Hoekstra, who served as a U.S. representative for Michigan from 1993 until 2011, as the state party chair last week. Former President Donald Trump had previously endorsed Hoekstra for the position.
Michigan Republicans' process for allocating delegates already was complicated this year.
Democrats who control the state legislature voted to move Michigan's primary to Feb. 27. The date change violated RNC rules, forcing Republicans to split the primary into two parts.
The party will allocate 16 of the state's 55 delegates based on the results of the Feb. 27 primary. Republican precinct delegates will allocate the remaining number at the March 2 state convention.
The internal Michigan GOP dispute is not expected to significantly affect the outcome for front-runner Trump. Precinct delegates allocating the 39 delegates have long been loyal to the former president, nominating the Republican secretary of state and attorney general candidates he endorsed ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
Split loyalties within the state party have set the stage for Hoekstra and Karamo to each send their own set of delegates to the RNC. Some local party leaders have vowed to attend Karamo's convention in Detroit, no matter what the RNC has said.
David Chandler, chairman of the Iosco County GOP, still recognizes Karamo as the party’s chair and told The Associated Press that his county GOP will be attending her March 2 event.
“It’s Karamo who is going to be there, and we’re going to run this,” Chandler said. ”We’re going to send the results of that convention to the RNC. If they don’t accept it, if they decide we’re not going to be able to send our delegates to the national convention, that’s too bad. That’s too bad, so sad for the RNC."
The matter could potentially be resolved in court before the March 2 convention. A judge in Kent County on Tuesday allowed for a lawsuit seeking to oust Karamo from the chair post to move forward. Hearings on whether an injunction against Karamo should be issued are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
Michigan Republicans plan dueling conventions for presidential nomination as turmoil continues
ANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Republicans' clash over leadership of their state party could mean dueling presidential nominating conventions will take place March 2, even though the national Republican Party has said members properly removed former chair Kristina Karamo.Former Congressman Pete Hoekstra, the new Michigan GOP chair as recognized by the Republican National Committee, announced Tuesday that the state Republican Party will hold a presidential nominating convention to allocate 39 of the state's 55 presidential delegates on March 2 in Grand Rapids. But Karamo and her backers plan to hold a convention the same day in Detroit.
Meanwhile, hearings regarding the dispute over Michigan’s GOP chair position are scheduled for later this week, and a judge could resolve the situation before the convention events.
Karamo was voted out as party chair by some members in the party during a Jan. 6 meeting, but she has refused to accept the results, claiming the meeting was not official and had been illegally organized.
The Republican National Committee, or RNC, recognized Hoekstra, who served as a U.S. representative for Michigan from 1993 until 2011, as the state party chair last week. Former President Donald Trump had previously endorsed Hoekstra for the position.
Michigan Republicans' process for allocating delegates already was complicated this year.
Democrats who control the state legislature voted to move Michigan's primary to Feb. 27. The date change violated RNC rules, forcing Republicans to split the primary into two parts.
The party will allocate 16 of the state's 55 delegates based on the results of the Feb. 27 primary. Republican precinct delegates will allocate the remaining number at the March 2 state convention.
The internal Michigan GOP dispute is not expected to significantly affect the outcome for front-runner Trump. Precinct delegates allocating the 39 delegates have long been loyal to the former president, nominating the Republican secretary of state and attorney general candidates he endorsed ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
Split loyalties within the state party have set the stage for Hoekstra and Karamo to each send their own set of delegates to the RNC. Some local party leaders have vowed to attend Karamo's convention in Detroit, no matter what the RNC has said.
David Chandler, chairman of the Iosco County GOP, still recognizes Karamo as the party’s chair and told The Associated Press that his county GOP will be attending her March 2 event.
“It’s Karamo who is going to be there, and we’re going to run this,” Chandler said. ”We’re going to send the results of that convention to the RNC. If they don’t accept it, if they decide we’re not going to be able to send our delegates to the national convention, that’s too bad. That’s too bad, so sad for the RNC."
The matter could potentially be resolved in court before the March 2 convention. A judge in Kent County on Tuesday allowed for a lawsuit seeking to oust Karamo from the chair post to move forward. Hearings on whether an injunction against Karamo should be issued are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
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