Michigan GOP Elects Jim Runestad as New Party Chair for 2026

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Michigan GOP Elects Jim Runestad as New Party Chair for 2026 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Michigan Republicans elected State Sen. Jim Runestad as their new party chair, defeating Trump-endorsed Meshawn Maddock and former Ambassador Joseph Cella. Runestad will lead the party into the 2026 midterms, when key races, including a U.S. Senate seat and the governor’s office, will be decided. Maddock, a MAGA activist facing forgery charges, conceded despite her strong grassroots support. The party remains divided after years of infighting and financial struggles, with Runestad promising unity and a fresh start.

Michigan GOP Chair Election Quick Looks

Jim Runestad Wins: State Sen. Jim Runestad defeats Trump-backed Meshawn Maddock to lead Michigan GOP.
Trump’s Endorsement Fails: Maddock, facing false elector charges, loses despite Trump’s support.
Party in Recovery: Runestad inherits a divided party still struggling from financial mismanagement.
2026 Key Races: Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, governor’s race, and legislature control at stake.
Republican Strategy: Runestad vows to unite factions, improve fundraising, and defeat Democrats.
Legal Cloud: Maddock and 14 others await trial for fake elector scheme, next hearing March 28.
Democrats Choose Chair: Curtis Hertel Jr. elected to lead Michigan Democratic Party.
High-Stakes Battleground: Michigan remains crucial for GOP’s 2026 and 2028 national strategy.

Deep Look

Michigan Republicans convened in Detroit on Saturday to elect a new state party chair, a critical leadership position ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, which will include a high-stakes U.S. Senate race, governor’s race, and control of the state legislature.

After a heated contest, State Sen. Jim Runestad emerged victorious, defeating two challengers, including Trump-endorsed Meshawn Maddock, a MAGA activist facing legal troubles over her role as a false elector in 2020.

The convention began with celebration over Trump’s victory in Michigan in 2024 before quickly shifting focus to the party’s future and its ability to win in 2026.

Who Ran for Michigan GOP Chair?

The race for party chair featured three candidates:

Jim Runestad – A staunch conservative and longtime state lawmaker, Runestad emphasized his fundraising abilities and experience in winning elections. He promised to unite the party after years of infighting and financial struggles.
Meshawn Maddock – A MAGA activist and former Michigan GOP co-chair, Maddock ran with Trump’s endorsement but faced controversy due to criminal charges related to the 2020 fake elector scheme.
Joseph Cella – A former U.S. ambassador under Trump, Cella positioned himself as a traditional conservative but failed to gain significant traction.

Despite Maddock’s strong grassroots support, she failed to win enough delegate votes after two rounds of voting. Runestad’s ability to mobilize party members and secure funding commitments ultimately won him the chairmanship.

Maddock, who accused Democrats of targeting her for political reasons, struck a conciliatory tone in her concession speech, saying,

“In the spirit of party unity, I would like to make a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for my senator Jim Runestad.”

A Party in Turmoil: The Fallout from 2022 and Karamo’s Leadership

Runestad takes over a Michigan GOP still recovering from a tumultuous period of internal divisions, financial instability, and leadership struggles.

The party suffered a major defeat in the 2022 elections, with Democrats winning control of both legislative chambers and the governor’s office—a stunning political shift in a longtime battleground state.

In 2023, grassroots activists took control of the party, electing Kristina Karamo as chair, a political newcomer and election denier. Under her leadership, the party’s finances collapsed, leading to payroll issues, donor boycotts, and widespread infighting.

Recognizing the crisis, national Republicans and Trump himself intervened, replacing Karamo with former Congressman Pete Hoekstra in early 2024. However, Hoekstra opted not to seek the role permanently as he was nominated by Trump to be U.S. Ambassador to Canada.

Now, Runestad inherits the task of rebuilding the party’s credibility, restoring financial stability, and preparing for the critical 2026 elections.

What’s at Stake in the 2026 Elections?

The 2026 midterms will be pivotal for Michigan, with several major races on the ballot:

U.S. Senate: Democratic Sen. Gary Peters announced he will not seek reelection, opening a competitive seat. Former Republican Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost in 2024, is expected to run again, while Democrat Pete Buttigieg is considering entering the race.
Governor’s Race: Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, and both parties are lining up candidates for an open race.
State Legislature: Control of the Michigan House and Senate will be up for grabs, with Republicans aiming to regain majorities.
Attorney General & Secretary of State: Two key statewide positions will be on the ballot, giving the GOP a chance to reshape Michigan’s leadership.
State Supreme Court: Two Michigan Supreme Court seats are up for election, influencing key legal battles on election laws and policy decisions.

With Trump’s presence still looming large over the state’s Republican Party, Runestad must navigate factional divides between establishment conservatives and the MAGA wing, ensuring the party remains competitive in one of the nation’s most important battleground states.

Michigan’s Fake Elector Scandal and Maddock’s Legal Troubles

Maddock’s loss also raises questions about the impact of the 2020 election fraud investigations on Michigan politics.

She is one of 15 Republicans facing criminal charges for allegedly signing false documents claiming to be Michigan’s official electors for Trump despite Joe Biden’s victory in the state by nearly 155,000 votes.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, charged the group with eight counts of forgery and conspiracy. Maddock and the other defendants argue that the case is politically motivated, with the next court date set for March 28.

This legal battle remains a high-profile issue in Michigan, as Republicans attempt to move forward while some party members remain entangled in legal challenges stemming from 2020.

Democrats Elect New Party Chair Across Town

On the same day that Michigan Republicans selected Runestad, Democrats gathered in Detroit to elect their own party chair.

Former state lawmaker Curtis Hertel Jr. was chosen to lead the Michigan Democratic Party, positioning himself to defend Democratic control of the state and prepare for key 2026 races.

Hertel previously ran for Congress in 2024, but lost to Republican Tom Barrett by nearly four percentage points. Despite his loss, he remains a high-profile figure in Michigan Democratic politics and will oversee the party’s efforts to maintain their dominance in the state.

What’s Next for Michigan Republicans?

Runestad’s leadership will be immediately tested as he must:

Rebuild party finances after years of mismanagement.
Unify the GOP factions, especially between Trump-aligned activists and establishment conservatives.
Recruit strong candidates for the 2026 elections, particularly for the open Senate and governor’s races.
Boost fundraising efforts to counter the well-funded Michigan Democrats.

The Michigan GOP’s ability to recover from its recent turmoil will likely shape the national political landscape, as the state remains a key battleground heading into 2026 and 2028.

With the stakes higher than ever, Runestad must prove that Michigan Republicans can move forward, win elections, and rebuild the party into a formidable force.