Now Deleted Post Shows MI GOP Chair Calling Strategist 'Scumbag' After Interviews On $50 Convention Fee

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 03/31/2026) A text message was circulating on social media from Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) saying, "We will have nothing to do" with strategist Brian Szmytke and 8th Congressional District Chair Anne DeLisle because they spoke with reporters about the endorsement convention's $50 cost and its impacts on attendance.

In a X post that is no longer viewable, Szmytke shared a text exchange involving Runestad. On the night before the Michigan Republican Party's March 28 endorsement convention, the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) targeted the event's $50 registration fee. The MDP cited a February story in which Szmytke and DeLisle talked to MIRS about the $50 charge turning off attendees, including delegates who were elected in 2024 on their local primary ballot.

"We will have nothing to do with this Brian scumbag nor with Anne DeLisle," Runestad said in the text exchange, sending a screenshot of the MDP's press release.

It is a known reality that the Michigan Republican Party's state committee has been actively working to improve its finances after previously owing at least $700,000 in debt to a bank and other creditors during 2024. Runestad has informed reporters that the state committee adopted a $50 fee and a $10,000 cost for candidates seeking the Republicans' endorsement.

Michigan's first major race of 2026 is the 35th special state Senate election between Democrat Chedrick Greene, a Saginaw city fire captain, and Republican Jason Tunney, a Saginaw attorney (Szmytke is working on Tunney's campaign). The special election takes place on May 5, less than 35 days, and the party-affiliated Michigan Democratic State Central Committee has spent $370,564 on media purchases, according to AdImpact. Meanwhile, Republican media spending since the race's Feb. 3 primaries stands at $110,567, with most of the money coming from Tunney and the Senate Republican Campaign Committee (SRCC) in Michigan, which is separate from the state party.

The March 28 convention was attended by 2,153 credentialed delegates and 692 alternates who were on standby.

One anonymous source told MIRS that the convention demonstrated unity and excitement among Michigan Republicans, with Runestad leading a smooth event on a tight budget with low chaos. The source views Runestad as locked in, ready to go and impressing donors even beyond Michigan with the convention's results.

Although Szmytke's post is no longer up, Krish Mathrani, the Michigan Republican Party's youth chair, shared on X that multiple young Republicans reached out to him expressing that the $50 fee, as well as parking costs, "was excessive and difficult – on top of paying for gas to come to Novi and getting hotels."

"Calling Brian, a dedicated young Republican who has worked hard for President Trump and Michigan, a 'scumbag' is completely uncalled for. He was simply voicing concerns that many others share," Mathrani said, "Anne DeLisle is also a hardworking leader who has consistently shown commitment both in Lansing and in the 8th District."

Mathrani said he hoped Runestad would issue an apology.

MIRS attempted to connect with Runestad Tuesday morning, but did not receive a response as of 8:20 p.m.