{"id":2405693,"date":"2025-02-23T10:50:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-23T15:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-gop-rejects-trump-backed-candidate-for-state-chair-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-23T10:51:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-23T15:51:40","slug":"michigan-gop-rejects-trump-backed-candidate-for-state-chair-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-gop-rejects-trump-backed-candidate-for-state-chair-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan GOP rejects Trump-backed candidate for state chair &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmichigan-gop-rejects-trump-backed-candidate-for-state-chair-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2405693&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In a recent election\u2064 for the chair of\u2062 the Michigan \u2062Republican Party, President Donald Trump&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/most-americans-think-another-trump-presidential-run-would-be-bad-for-the-country-poll-shows\/\" title=\"Most Americans Think Another ... Presidential Run Would Be Bad For The Country, Poll Shows\">endorsed candidate<\/a>, Meshawn Maddock,\u200c was\u2062 defeated. Maddock, who previously served as co-chairwoman and \u2063was supported by\u2064 Trump just days before\u200d the convention, lost \u2064to State\u200b Senator Jim Runestad, who\u200b received over 60% of \u200dthe delegate votes. \u200cRunestad \u200cemphasized his commitment to \u2063turning\u200b grassroots \u200defforts \u200dinto a \u200d<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">powerful political\u200c force<\/a> to combat the\u200d Democrats in upcoming\u200c elections. After her loss,Maddock publicly\u200d backed Runestad,signaling a gesture \u2062of party unity.Some delegates expressed skepticism regarding Trump&#8217;s endorsement, implying that local dynamics\u200b played a notable role\u200b in the election outcome. Runestad is\u2063 now \u200dtasked with leading the Michigan GOP as they prepare\u2063 for\u2062 the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hudson-warns-of-challenging-midterm-elections-in-nrcc-reelection-bid-announcement-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Hudson warns of \u2018challenging\u2019 midterm ...ions in NRCC re...ion bid announcement - Washington Examiner\">challenging 2026 midterm elections<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Michigan Republicans reject Trump-backed candidate in election of state GOP chair<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1958052\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a>&rsquo;s candidate to lead the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Michigan<\/a> Republican Party lost her bid to become the GOP&rsquo;s state chairwoman.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Trump endorsed Meshawn Maddock, the former co-chairwoman of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mitch-mcconnells-betrayal-hurts-the-nation-goodwin\/\" title=\"Mitch McConnell\u2019s betrayal hurts the nation\">state party<\/a>, on Thursday, two days before 1,900 delegates gathered to elect the next party chair at a Detroit convention.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/3322407\/cpac-theme-america-back-on-track\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">CPAC THEME: &lsquo;AMERICA IS BACK ON TRACK&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>But on Saturday, over 60% of the delegates voted to elect Republican State Sen. Jim Runestad to lead Michigan&rsquo;s GOP.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are going to turn the grassroots into a machine, along with the state party, to defeat the Democrats,&rdquo; Runestad told the convention.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">State Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, reacts during the Michigan Republican Party Convention, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Paul Sancya)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Delegate Josh Powell said he thought &ldquo;Trump probably made the endorsement (of Maddock) on about 30 seconds worth of information,&rdquo; in comments to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/news\/politics\/elections\/2025\/02\/22\/michigan-republicans-reject-trump-endorsement-maddock-choose-runestad\/79205979007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><em>Detroit Free Press<\/em><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I respect his endorsement, but the internal politics is different,&rdquo; Powell said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When Trump endorsed Maddock earlier this week, he <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/114038780132459435\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">hailed her <\/a>as someone who &ldquo;has been with me since Day One, and has been key to our many Republican Victories in Michigan, including our HISTORIC WIN in 2024.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3228342\/department-of-government-efficiency-what-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WHAT IS DOGE? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Maddock responded to the endorsement with a social media post saying, &ldquo;Not gonna lie this made my heart skip.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>However, in an interview on Thursday, Maddock said she could win the chair election with or without Trump&rsquo;s endorsement, telling the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2025\/02\/20\/president-donald-trump-endorses-meshawn-maddock-to-be-michigan-republican-party-chair\/79352677007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><em>Detroit News<\/em><\/a>  that &ldquo;delegates in Michigan don&rsquo;t like being told what to do on anything.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>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 &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/smiths-lawfare-against-trump-designed-to-generate-headlines\/\" title=\"Smith&#039;s Lawfare Against ... Designed To Generate Headlines\">fake elector&#038;rdquo<\/a>; after signing a certificate stating Trump won the state&rsquo;s 2020 presidential election. Maddock has<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox2detroit.com\/news\/there-was-no-secret-meeting-meshawn-maddock-claps-back-after-being-named-in-ags-fake-elector-suit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> fiercely rejected<\/a> the charges, saying State Attorney General Dana Nessel is &ldquo;using her office as a weapon against the citizens.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, Maddock made a gesture of &ldquo;party unity&rdquo; after she lost the election to Runestad.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In the spirit of party unity, I would like to make a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for my senator Jim Runestad,&rdquo; she said in a brief concession address to the delegates.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE &ndash; Meshawn Maddock, ex-Michigan Republican Party co-chair, listens during a preliminary exam for 16 Republican activists, of which she is one, who signed false certificates in the 2020 election attesting they were Michigan&rsquo;s electors and that Donald Trump won the election, at the Ingham County District Court in Lansing, Michigan, Dec. 14, 2023. (Katy Kildee\/Detroit News via AP, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><span style=\"background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I have been winning elections because I brought in the dollars,&rdquo; he told delegates. &ldquo;And as your next MIGOP chairman, I will raise the funds we need to defeat the Democrats.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1958052\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1958052\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michigan Republicans defeat Trump-endorsed candidate for state chair<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2405694,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Trump-Michigan.-.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[34069,6203,4601,50912,3634],"class_list":["post-2405693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-election-news","tag-gop","tag-michigan","tag-state-chair","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Trump-Michigan.-.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2405693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2405693"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2405693\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2405697,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2405693\/revisions\/2405697"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2405694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2405693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2405693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2405693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}