LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – With the state of the Michigan Republican Party in reported chaos and important state and federal elections on the horizon, the Michigan GOP is finally set to make some leadership decisions on Saturday – or at least discuss them.

The Michigan GOP will meet on Saturday, January 6.

Conservative political activist Laura Loomer posted on the X social media platform over the weekend that State Committee members have called a special election for Saturday, January 6th. On the posted agenda are several things including the review and possible removal of MIGOP Chairwoman Kristina Karamo.

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Trump-endorsed Karamo has been under fire since her election in February when she won the seat with 58% of the votes of the state’s Republican precinct delegates to become the party’s first Black chair.

The state’s Republican party has been in the media spotlight all year because of one controversy after another including financial turmoil, party infighting, a lack of fundraising, and a lack of transparency.

Many other accusations have been made against Karamo including that she has not “ethically” appropriated funds, a charge which appeared in a 150-page report titled “The Failed Leadership of the Karamo Administration” that was mostly compiled by MIGOP insider, Warren Carpenter, who is spearheading Karamo’s removal. Carpenter, an Oakland county businessman, had been the chairman of the 9th Congressional District’s Republican Committee, but resigned in September because of Karamo’s failed leadership.

What’s lead up to this point?

Before Christmas, co-chair Malinda Pego, who had stayed neutral on calls to remove Karamo, issued a statement where she said, “Today, I signed a petition to support a meeting for discussions of removal of our chair of the Michigan Republican State Committee…As your co-chair of the Michigan Republican State Committee, I believe it is crucial to give ALL of our elected members of our State Committee their voice and opportunity to be heard by all members of our committee and the ability to represent their districts accordingly.”

Pego continued, “Due to a series of decisions and actions there is a growing consensus among party members that a thorough review of the chair’s position is both necessary and appropriate.”

Where is the meeting?

Saturday’s special meeting will be held at the Multi Lakes Conservation Association in Commerce, Michigan, about 15 minutes north west of Novi. Also on Saturday’s agenda in addition to the Karamo’s possible removal are some amendments to make Karamo’s ouster easier as well as the removal of additional staff.

What’s on the agenda?

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Before the votes on amendments and removal of staff are held, the agenda lists the discussions of transparency, accountability and unity for the party organization. The two amendments include a proposed amendment regarding conflict resolution and a proposed amendment to change of voting percentage for removal of officers.

Currently, the MIGOP bylaws state “Any officer may be removed as an officer and member of this Committee by the Committee upon a seventy-five percent (75%) vote of the Committee present and voting at any meeting of the Committee, provided there is a quorum present, and such seventy-five percent (75%) vote must be made in person by such members and not by proxy; provided, further, that in order to bring the question before the Committee as to the removal of an officer, a petition requesting that such a vote be taken, bearing the signatures of at least fifty percent (50%) of the entire Committee (no proxies allowed), shall be filed with the chairman (or, if the chairman is the officer in question, then such petition shall be filed with the Secretary).”

In addition, the rules say that the procedures for removal are discretionary and there is “no formal procedures required to remove an officer as an officer and member of this Committee.”

Carpenter has said in the past that he wanted to amend party bylaws to reduce the threshold for removal of the chair to a 60% vote which would only require about two-thirds vote of the state committee. There are currently are just over 100 voting members.

If Karamo is removed, who will lead the party?

As for the selection of the successor to be the new MIGOP chairperson, that person will be selected at the next meeting of the Committee where a meeting “shall be in part called for that purpose.”

So far, no one has officially thrown their hat in the ring for consideration to replace Karamo although former Ambassador and former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra could be a possibility once the opening presents itself according to an interview Carpenter had with Bridge Michigan. He said that any potential successor with “the ability to raise money and pull off this kind of salvage operation” would be unlikely to publicly acknowledge any interest unless or until the post is vacant.

Who else could be removed from the Michigan GOP?

In addition to Karamo, other MIGOP staff being targeted for removal includes Communications Director Robert Owens, Executive Director Jim Copas and General Counsel Dan Hartman, all of whom are described as a “small governing group of individuals who make all Party decisions and direct all staff and volunteers” according to Carpenter’s report. The report goes on to say, “These individuals had no known prior experience with operating a state political party. And they have caused significant concerns among party members.”

What is Karamo’s response?

Right before New Year’s Eve, the Detroit News reported that Karamo had been sent a letter on Thursday, December 28th by eight of 13 party district chairs who asked her to resign for the good of the party. The district chairs had cited the financial state of the MIGOP as well as a general lack of trust in her leadership as reasons she should step down.

The letter said, “Please put an end to the chaos in our party. Please have the grace, courage, and love of our state to accept the fact that at this most critical time in our nation’s history, the Michigan Republican Party needs someone else in leadership.”

Karamo responded, “That’s just not gonna happen.”

The letter was reported to be signed by the chairs of Republican Congressional Committees in districts 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12: Sue Allor, Andrew Sebolt, JD Glaser, Daniel Wholihan, Anne DeLisle, Barb Zinner, William Rauwerdink and Jessica Toth.

Karamo has been vocal about what she thinks of the party officials who want to give her the boot. She said in a statement at the end of last year, “These deceptive and underhanded endeavors endanger the Michigan GOP’s drive toward victory in 2024. They also disrupt the determination of the Republican mean and women who are working tirelessly to win the spiritual war being fought on a cultural battlefield.”