LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Republicans are sorting through the wreckage of their November 3 election disaster, and the finger-pointing is becoming a full-time occupation.
Everybody seems to think they know who’s responsible for the Republican Party’s losses. The bigger question is whether anybody knows how to fix them.
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Democrats swept Michigan’s major statewide races, flipped the state House and expanded their political power heading into 2027. Republicans are now facing an uncomfortable question: Who should lead the Michigan GOP out of the mess?
Runestad Points Fingers – And Others Point Back
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Jim Runestad offered several explanations for the election disaster in a recent Detroit News interview. He cited affordability concerns, controversial data centers, government transparency issues and ineffective Republican messaging. He also criticized gubernatorial candidate John James and House Speaker Matt Hall over missed political opportunities.
Runestad acknowledged that internal polling predicted substantial losses and described the election as a “monstrous blue wave.”
But critics are asking why the man responsible for leading the state party couldn’t do more to prevent the disaster. And Runestad is reportedly considering another two-year term as chairman.
Chris Long: Time for a New Playbook?
Meanwhile, Michigan GOP Grassroots Vice Chairman Chris Long isn’t buying Runestad’s explanations. In a blistering November 5 post on X, Long accused Runestad of failing to develop an election strategy, raise sufficient money or work effectively with other party leaders. Long concluded, “Senator Jim Runestad should never again be chairman of the Michigan Republican Party.”
In comments to Michigan News Source, Long expanded on his criticism, saying Runestad failed to establish a credible plan for winning elections, build an effective get-out-the-vote operation or provide county parties with the resources they needed. Instead, he said, party leadership focused on internal narrative management, complaints about debt and personal branding. “There was a complete lack of leadership and direction,” Long said, adding that party meetings offered repeated complaints rather than solutions.
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Long also criticized the GOP’s election messaging, arguing Republicans ignored the kitchen-table issues voters cared about most, including groceries, gas prices, energy costs and affordability. He said Democrats have become skilled at selling their bad policies as solutions while Republicans struggle to communicate their own ideas effectively. “Factory tours with hard hats, pointing at things, and empty platitudes do not connect with anyone outside the party,” he said.
And Long didn’t spare the political consulting class either, accusing consultants and operatives of treating the state party as a financial pipeline rather than an organization focused on winning elections. “The State Party must exist to win elections, not simply facilitate transactions that benefit consultants and vendors. The Republican Party and our candidates should not be treated as consultant welfare programs,” he said. He argued that Republicans need leadership willing to challenge internal factions, rebuild fundraising and volunteer operations, and focus on electing candidates rather than protecting political relationships.
Long’s Next Play: A New Chairman or Just a New Playbook?
But does Long want Runestad’s job? He isn’t saying – at least not yet. Asked directly whether he’s considering running for chairman, Long responded, “This is what I’m thinking about. The party needs change. There’s nothing left to lose, and we have to rebuild. We cannot keep doing things the old way.” He added that the party needs someone loyal to the organization itself rather than individual factions or personal ambitions.
Meanwhile, Long is promoting a message titled “It’s time for a new playbook,” directing Republicans to StopLosingElections.com, where a countdown clock points to an announcement Saturday, November 14. Whether that announcement involves a campaign for chairman remains to be seen. But Long has made one thing clear: He believes Michigan Republicans need a major overhaul.
Michigan Lawmaker Joins in on the Blame Game
Meanwhile, state Rep. Jim DeSana (R-Carleton) is pointing toward House Republican leadership as a reason for election losses in the state. In a November 9 statement, DeSana blamed Speaker Matt Hall and the House Republican Campaign Committee for contributing to the GOP’s loss of the House majority. DeSana said he won reelection without financial assistance from the committee while it spent more than $45 million defending other Republican seats.
“Establishment Republicanism is now deader than a doornail in our state and in America,” DeSana declared. He also blamed an anti-Trump wave, an unpopular war, affordability concerns and voter frustration with political corruption.
Grassroots Republicans Have Opinions, Too
On the Michigan Precinct Delegates Facebook page, responses to a question about who the next chairman should be revealed divisions over Runestad’s future. Some called for entirely new leadership, while others supported Runestad or suggested alternatives, including Anthony Forlini, who ran unsuccessfully to be the state’s next Secretary of State.
One commenter was particularly unimpressed with Long, saying, “He certainly does not know how to bring people together. All he does is blame, criticize and whine!!”
Others on social media are blaming the DeVos family and other influential Republican donors and party insiders for the GOP’s election losses, suggesting the party’s problems extend well beyond whoever occupies the chairman’s seat.
Who Wants the Job?
Runestad defeated Meshawn Maddock and Joe Cella for the state’s chairmanship in February 2025. Republican delegates are expected to choose their next chairman in February 2027.
Michigan News Source contacted other potential chairmanship contenders in addition to Long, including Meshawn Maddock, Perry Johnson, and Anthony Forlini. Johnson and Forlini did not respond to confirm or deny whether they have aspirations to lead the state party for the next few years. However, Meshawn Maddock replied with the following statement: “It’s a challenging and necessary job to be State Party Chair. I’m not sure who is running for the spot, and I am not one of them. The Party needs a good spokesperson, and a great fundraiser, and someone who will bring back the Trump majority to the polls in 2028.”
For now, Republicans have plenty of explanations and accusations. What they don’t seem to have, according to many, is a winning strategy – or a leader to implement that strategy.
