Michigan Republicans are convening in Detroit on Saturday to select a new chairperson who will guide the party through the critical 2026 midterm elections in this pivotal battleground state. This election is particularly significant as it will determine various prominent races, including a vital U.S. Senate seat.
Candidates in the Running
The election features three candidates seeking the support of party delegates.
The most prominent among them is Meshawn Maddock, a fervent supporter of Donald Trump and former co-chair of the party. Maddock is currently facing eight charges related to forgery and conspiracy in a case involving alleged false electors connected to the 2020 election. She has denied these allegations, asserting that the prosecution is driven by political motivations, and expressed confidence that the charges will be dismissed. Recently, Trump provided his endorsement for Maddock.
Also in contention is State Senator Jim Runestad, who has a decade-long legislative career and was first elected to the House of Representatives. The final candidate is Joseph Cella, who previously served as a Trump ambassador to multiple Pacific nations, including Fiji and Tonga.
Context of Accusations
Fifteen Republicans are implicated in a scheme to falsely represent themselves as presidential electors for Trump in the aftermath of the 2020 election, despite Joe Biden’s victory in Michigan. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, had previously dropped charges against a 16th defendant who cooperated with the investigation.
The accused individuals maintain that their actions were not illegal, though they were charged with eight counts of forgery and conspiracy. The lawsuit stems from a meeting in December 2020 at the Michigan Republican headquarters, where they allegedly signed documents claiming to be the state’s legitimate electors; these documents have ultimately been disregarded.
Biden won Michigan by a margin of nearly 155,000 votes, a result that was later confirmed by a GOP-led inquiry in 2021.
Maddock and the others are currently awaiting a ruling from a county district judge regarding the sufficiency of evidence to proceed to trial. A hearing is set for March 28, following the Republican convention.
Implications of the Upcoming Elections
Michigan is anticipated to play a crucial role in the 2026 midterms, with Democrats aiming to terminate the Republican majority in both the U.S. House and Senate, potentially hindering Trump’s influence.
Senator Gary Peters recently surprised many by announcing he will not seek re-election, which has opened up a competitive Senate seat. In the 2024 elections, Democrat Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeated Republican Mike Rogers, and Rogers plans to challenge for the seat again. Additionally, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is considering a run.
As Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, numerous candidates are preparing to vie for her position. The balance of power in the Michigan House and Senate is at stake, along with critical offices including those of attorney general, secretary of state, and two Supreme Court positions.
The new chair will inherit a party still in recovery from a tumultuous phase marked by internal conflict and financial difficulties stemming from preceding leadership. In 2023, a grassroots movement led to the election of Kristiana Karamo as chair, a newcomer who refuted the 2020 election results.
Under her leadership, party finances suffered, leading to the involvement of both Michigan and national Republican figures, including Trump, who replaced her with former congressman and ambassador Pete Hoekstra. Hoekstra has opted not to seek another term as he is being considered for an ambassador role in Canada.
Democratic Party’s Chair Election
As Republicans gather, Democrats are also set to elect their new party chair on the same day.
Curtis Hertel Jr., a former state lawmaker and congressional candidate, is anticipated to be chosen for the role. Hertel previously ran for the U.S. House in 2024 but lost to Tom Barrett, a former state lawmaker and Army veteran, in a close race.
