Michigan Republicans vote to remove state GOP chair Kristina Karamo in contested meeting

Karamo calls the move illegitimate and says she remains chair — an argument that may eventually have to be settled in court.

Kristina Karamo speaks to Michigan Republican Party delegates Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in Lansing, Mich.

FILE - Kristina Karamo speaks to Michigan Republican Party delegates Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in Lansing, Mich.

The Michigan GOP is locked in an internal struggle over its leadership as a faction of party leaders voted to oust Republican state chair Kristina Karamo.

A portion of Michigan GOP committee members voted to remove Karamo at a meeting she did not attend last Saturday.

Karamo calls the move illegitimate and says she remains chair — an argument that may eventually have to be settled in court.

“It was an illegitimate meeting. Their performance has no legal standing. I am still chair of the Michigan Republican Party,” Karamo told The Detroit News in a text message.

Karamo took office almost a year ago after arguing in favor of conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.

But some Michigan GOP officials say efforts organizing voters for this year’s election are in peril because of in-fighting. and a state party estimated to be hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.

Republican candidates suffered historic electoral defeats in 2022, — including Karamo herself — who lost a bid to become Michigan’s Secretary of State but never conceded to winner and incumbent Jocelyn Benson.

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Author

  • Quinn Klinefelter
    Quinn Klinefelter is a Senior News Editor at 101.9 WDET. In 1996, he was literally on top of the news when he interviewed then-Senator Bob Dole about his presidential campaign and stepped on his feet.