(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/20/2024) The Michigan Republican Party chair recognized by the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the likely presidential nominee, Donald Trump, is calling a March 2 convention in Grand Rapids to figure out who will represent Michigan in Milwaukee from July 15-18.
Pete Hoekstra announced Wednesday the 10 a.m. gathering at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, where 39 of the 55 delegates for the RNC National Convention will be selected along with a National Committeeman and a National Committeewoman.
No deal has been cut with the rival Kristina Karamo faction of the Republican Party. As of a Monday post on social media, Karamo was still planning to hold the March 2 convention in Detroit.
Asked if his or his folks had been in contact with Karamo about a joint convention, Hoekstra said, “Her lawyers talked to our lawyers today in front of a judge.”
Asked if there had been any conversations beyond that, he said no. As far as he’s concerned, there is one convention and it’s being held in Grand Rapids by the chair recognized by the leaders of the RNC and Trump.
“There may be other meetings across the state, but they are not a Republican convention,” he said.
In a letter posted Monday, Karamo said Hoekstra’s claim that he is holding a separate convention is “wrong.”
“His claim that he has the legal authority to do so is not only unethical, but it also creates mass confusion amongst the MIGOP county chairs and precinct delegates,” Karamo wrote. “His audacity shows a complete lack of respect for the dedicated Republicans who worked hard to plan and organize the March 2nd MIGOP District Convention at Huntington Place.”
She called on Hoekstra to acknowledge the event at Huntington Place and hold a vote in front of 2,000 delegates and “end this divide with a vote in which both sides respect the results.
“From that point, we should both agree to respect the results of the vote and put an end to this manufactured ‘dispute’ once and for all,” Karamo wrote.
