(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/09/2023) The "America First" chair of the Kent County Republican Party and several of his chief lieutenants resigned from their positions Wednesday due to internal tensions and in-fighting with fellow conservatives within the organization.
The Kent County GOP announced Wednesday Chair Tim Walenga is stepping down seven months into his term. A separate letter written by his supporters said Walenga's "weaknesses" had been "exploited, mocked, and weaponized against him and those who tirelessly supported him."
"Our slim values-aligned majority that we entered the year with no longer exists," the letter reads. "The division has been sewn and cultivated, trust destroyed and friendships lost."
Executive Committee members Rina Baker, Jeff Carlson, Angela Gillisse, Gail Schuiling and Anna Timmer all put their names to the letter. Other Executive Committee members leaving their positions include Ruth-Ann Karnes and Mark Jordan.
The departing leadership team was among a coalition of anti-establishment factions who united behind the idea of brooming "establishment" Kent County Republicans like Terri Lynn Land and their big-dollar donors like the DeVos family.
The revolt in Kent County mirrored similar takeovers in various other Michigan counties last year. The county election ended up being a precursor to what happened earlier this year when Kristina Karamo won the election to become the Michigan Republican Party chair.
Walenga was part of a faction that was able to win the chair's position by a narrow vote, sources tell MIRS. Once he lost the support of a few of his allies over internal issues, his leadership structure fell apart.
Once he said he'd had enough, his network of supporters followed suit.
"At least 10 or more members have made it clear they do not want to continue the good-faith mission we embarked upon in January without our elected chair, leaving our bonds severed and our strength evaporated," the letter reads.
The authors predicted that it's "only a matter of time before the prevailing power in Kent County will re-take command."
