(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/24/22) Presumed Republican Attorney General nominee Matt DePerno is urging delegates to unite behind gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon's choice of running mate, Shane Hernandez, at the convention this weekend and predicted Wednesday that it will happen.
DePerno is appearing at a complimentary breakfast for delegates with Dixon and Hernandez prior to Saturday's convention. He also officially endorsed Hernandez in a press release that Dixon included in material she sent to delegates and alternates.
Speaking with MIRS Wednesday, DePerno said he hopes to speak with the last higher-profile lieutenant governor alternative to Hernandez -- Ralph Rebandt -- as soon as Thursday. He said the former gubernatorial candidate needs to "make his own decision," just as another former gubernatorial candidate, Garrett Soldano, did.
Soldano and another former gubernatorial candidate who briefly considered running, Ryan D. Kelley, decided not to pursue the option.
"To be honest with you, I don't see a threat here at the convention. It will go very smoothly," DePerno said. "Shane will win on the first ballot."
That's if it even comes to a vote.
The Michigan Republican Party is preparing paper ballots in the event that it's necessary to have a vote on the lieutenant governor nominee, but the current plan is that the matter will be resolved by a voice vote, according to a Republican Party source.
Just in case, DePerno, who was the impetus behind many of the new delegates expected at the convention, is hosting a "Leadership Zoom Call" at 6 p.m. Thursday.
DePerno's ascension as a leader within the Republican Party comes at a time when he would have reason to stoke division. Hernandez endorsed DePerno's former convention opponent, Tom Leonard, back in April. Those of the traditional deep-pocketed establishment within the GOP who are supporting Dixon have yet to open their wallets for DePerno.
Still, for the good of the party, he said it's time to come together behind Dixon and Hernandez.
"I checked (Hernandez's) background and talked to other leaders in the party to get some information on him and it was all very positive," DePerno said. "I saw no reason why not to support Tudor Dixon's pick for lieutenant governor."
Earlier in the week, a picture of DePerno meeting with Soldano was put on social media, fueling speculation that DePerno may be joining forces with Soldano on a rogue lieutenant governor bid. Instead, DePerno said "99%" of their conversation was on the grassroots.
"He's built up a great movement on his side. He's got a lot of volunteers. I've got a lot of volunteers. We talked about how we could unite those tribes and bring them together," he said.
