Michigan GOP rejects Trump-backed candidate for state chair – Washington Examiner
In a recent election for the chair of the Michigan Republican Party, President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate, Meshawn Maddock, was defeated. Maddock, who previously served as co-chairwoman and was supported by Trump just days before the convention, lost to State Senator Jim Runestad, who received over 60% of the delegate votes. Runestad emphasized his commitment to turning grassroots efforts into a powerful political force to combat the Democrats in upcoming elections. After her loss,Maddock publicly backed Runestad,signaling a gesture of party unity.Some delegates expressed skepticism regarding Trump’s endorsement, implying that local dynamics played a notable role in the election outcome. Runestad is now tasked with leading the Michigan GOP as they prepare for the challenging 2026 midterm elections.
Michigan Republicans reject Trump-backed candidate in election of state GOP chair
President Donald Trump’s candidate to lead the Michigan Republican Party lost her bid to become the GOP’s state chairwoman.
Trump endorsed Meshawn Maddock, the former co-chairwoman of the state party, on Thursday, two days before 1,900 delegates gathered to elect the next party chair at a Detroit convention.
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But on Saturday, over 60% of the delegates voted to elect Republican State Sen. Jim Runestad to lead Michigan’s GOP.
“We are going to turn the grassroots into a machine, along with the state party, to defeat the Democrats,” Runestad told the convention.
Delegate Josh Powell said he thought “Trump probably made the endorsement (of Maddock) on about 30 seconds worth of information,” in comments to the Detroit Free Press.
“I respect his endorsement, but the internal politics is different,” Powell said.
When Trump endorsed Maddock earlier this week, he hailed her as someone who “has been with me since Day One, and has been key to our many Republican Victories in Michigan, including our HISTORIC WIN in 2024.”
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Maddock responded to the endorsement with a social media post saying, “Not gonna lie this made my heart skip.”
However, in an interview on Thursday, Maddock said she could win the chair election with or without Trump’s endorsement, telling the Detroit News that “delegates in Michigan don’t like being told what to do on anything.”
Some delegates raised concerns about Maddock, who is also the wife of state Republican Rep. Matt Maddock, because she was one of multiple Michigan Republicans charged as a “fake elector” after signing a certificate stating Trump won the state’s 2020 presidential election. Maddock has fiercely rejected the charges, saying State Attorney General Dana Nessel is “using her office as a weapon against the citizens.”
On Saturday, Maddock made a gesture of “party unity” after she lost the election to Runestad.
“In the spirit of party unity, I would like to make a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for my senator Jim Runestad,” she said in a brief concession address to the delegates.
Now, Runestad will be tasked with leading state Republicans to victory during the 2026 midterm elections, which promises to be a tough battle for the Right.
“I have been winning elections because I brought in the dollars,” he told delegates. “And as your next MIGOP chairman, I will raise the funds we need to defeat the Democrats.”
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