(Source: MIRS.news, Published 01/06/2022) An unprecedented 11 candidates filed paperwork to run for the Michigan Republican Party state party chair position by Friday's 5 p.m. deadline.
All three late candidates who had pulled papers to run for the position ended up filing. The final list is:
- Former Jackson County Commissioner candidate Scott Aughney
- Ravenna Councilmember Kent Boersema
- West Michigan commercial realtor Drew Born
- Former Attorney General nominee Matt DePerno
- Former congressional and University of Michigan Regent nominee Lena Epstein
- Grand Rapids Taxpayers Association President Mike Farage
- Macomb County Republican Party Chair Mark Forton
- Large-scale game creator J.D. Glasier
- Longtime political activist and consultant Scott Greenlee
- Former Secretary of State nominee Kristina Karamo
- Tuscola County Chair Bill Putman
Former MRP Chair Saul Anuzis said the good news for the party is that there's a lot of interest from people wanting to lead the Republican Party.
The challenge is for delegates to find a candidate who can raise the more than $1 million needed to keep the lights on and the staff paid.
"It's a very difficult task," Anuzis said. "I wasn't the strongest fundraiser, but I was fortunate to have two good finance chairs in Ron Weiser and Bobby Schostak. Still, 70% of my time was spent raising money. I would do the political meetings on the side."
Republicans are entering a 2023-24 campaign cycle with a rare open U.S. Senate seat that will be in play. Good party chairs can be helpful with a get-out-the-vote plan, ballot security and integrity efforts and volunteer coordination. State parties are also legally able to coordinate expenditures, which also could be helpful to a U.S. Senate nominee.
Without a good party chair, a U.S. Senate candidate could create his or her own operation, as was done in Georgia, but it presents a challenge.
Anuzis also noted that the Weiser-Secchia headquarters the MRP operates was put into a trust that prohibits the building from being used against any loan, which had been done in the past.
This prevents new chairs from being saddled with debt, but it also stops the ability for chairs to borrow off the building.
Asked if he sees any of the 11 candidates as someone who could raise the money to be successful, Anuzis said only, "We'll see."
Delegates are scheduled to select the next MRP chair at its Feb. 18 convention.
