LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – There is a new leader of the Michigan Republican Party, but the state GOP is far from being united.
On Saturday the state committee voted to name former Holland Congressman and one-time US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra as the party’s new chairman. He defeated Lena Epstein on the second vote by a 50-22 margin, according to MIRS News.
Hoesktra, who spent nine terms in the US House before making an unsuccessful bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010, was the American ambassador to the Netherlands for three years during the Trump Administration. He also ran for the US Senate in 2012, losing in the general election to Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow.
Hoekstra replaces Kristina Karamo as state party chief, as she was deposed in a special meeting two weeks ago.
Karamo, who lost in the 2022 general election to Democratic incumbent Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, has filed a lawsuit over her removal, saying that the process did not follow party rules. Those who led the removal of Karamo claim that she has not followed party rules, and have filed a counter suit against her.
In a statement following the meeting, Epstein said, “This moment calls for unity. I urge all of us to come together and support our Party around Chairman Hoekstra. Our collective strength is vital for advancing our shared values and achieving our goals. Let’s unite under the banner of the Michigan Republican Party and work tirelessly for the betterment of our state and our nation.”
MIRS News added that, as of Saturday, the Republican National Committee still lists Karamo as the chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party.
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