LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Republicans could potentially elect a leader heavily involved in the MAGA movement who currently faces charges as an alleged false elector for Donald Trump. Meshawn Maddock, who has shown unwavering loyalty to Trump, is vying for the chair position of the GOP during this Saturday’s state convention. She recently received Trump’s endorsement for her candidacy.
If elected, Maddock, a known opponent of the 2020 election results, would play a significant role in shaping the party’s strategy in Michigan. This state is pivotal in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, where several key positions, including a crucial U.S. Senate seat, will be contested. GOP strategist Jason Roe emphasized the importance of having an influential figure in this role, stating that raising funds will be crucial to achieving ambitious goals.
Maddock faces serious legal troubles, accused of participating in fraudulent electoral activities following the 2020 election, which has led to her being charged with forgery and conspiracy, among other offenses. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has similarly charged 14 other Republicans in connection with the case, although one defendant had their charges dismissed in exchange for cooperating with authorities.
Maddock and her co-defendants maintain that their actions were lawful, with Maddock asserting that the ongoing legal situation may actually bolster her support among constituents. She claimed, “If anything, I think that persuades people to support me even more because they know how we’ve been victimized.”
Michigan was one of seven key states where Trump supporters signed documents after the 2020 election claiming victory for Trump over Biden. Investigators revealed that in December 2020, Maddock and others signed a declaration at the Michigan Republican headquarters, falsely proclaiming themselves as the state’s legitimate electors. Ultimately, Biden triumphed over Trump in Michigan by nearly 155,000 votes, a conclusion corroborated by a GOP-led state Senate investigation in 2021.
As the legal proceedings continue, the defendants are awaiting a ruling from a county district judge to determine if there is sufficient evidence for a trial. A hearing for Maddock and the other involved parties is scheduled for March 28, shortly after the GOP convention.
Maddock, originally from southeast Michigan, has been an early supporter of Trump. Known for her fiery MAGA rhetoric and sometimes controversial online presence, she has often clashed with traditional GOP donors while maintaining a strong following. “The reason you might think that I butted heads with the establishment is I was doing something that nobody had ever done before,” she stated.
Maddock faces competition for the chair position from state Senator Jim Runestad and Joseph Cella, formerly a Trump ambassador to Fiji.
The upcoming chairperson will take over from Pete Hoekstra, a past congressman credited with revitalizing the state party and achieving significant Republican victories in the previous election cycle, such as reclaiming a congressional seat and securing a state House majority.
In 2023, the Michigan GOP experienced a shift with Kristina Karamo, a newcomer promoting election conspiracy theories, becoming chair. However, under her leadership, financial struggles emerged, prompting the intervention of national Republicans and Trump to bring in Hoekstra as her replacement. Hoekstra has opted not to seek reelection for the chair position after being nominated to serve as ambassador to Canada.
As the midterm landscape evolves, the stakes are considerable, especially with Democratic Senator Gary Peters announcing he will not seek reelection, which opens a significant opportunity. Additionally, Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, prompting a surge of candidates vying for her position, while control of both legislative chambers and key state offices rests in the balance.
Maddock is aware of the doubts regarding her fundraising capacity compared to Hoekstra, especially given Karamo’s tumultuous term. She has reassured party members that her leadership will be “no nonsense,” promising a strong Republican organization.
Her campaign strategy involves building connections with a diverse coalition that shifted toward Republicans during the 2024 elections, including outreach to Black, Indian, Muslim, Chaldean, and other communities in southeast Michigan. “I want to be growing and expanding these coalitions right now into these communities,” she expressed.
Vance Patrick, chair of the Oakland County GOP, indicated that Maddock’s legal issues are not a concern for delegates voting in the convention, asserting that she is the strongest candidate. Roe added that while some contributors might be hesitant, her legal troubles could be perceived positively as evidence of her resilience in the political arena. “We’ve reached a point now where none of these kinds of allegations carry weight anymore for a lot of reasons,” he noted.
