To choose the state party’s new leadership for the 2026 election cycle, Republicans from all over the state convened at Huntington Place in Detroit over the weekend.
According to Detroit News reporter Craig Mauger, the party’s delegates finally chose state Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) as chair after two rounds of voting at Saturday’s biennial convention, which Michigan Advance was not allowed to attend. Runestad received 63% of the vote.
Runestad emphasized his track record as a top fundraiser and one of the state’s most conservative lawmakers during his bid for chair. Runestad also highlighted his efforts as an Oakland County commissioner to battle unauthorized immigration by establishing the federal E-Verify program, which checks employees’ eligibility to work in the United States, during aGOP discussion last month in Berrien County.
He competed against Meshawn Maddock, a longstanding Trump supporter and former party co-chair, who was endorsed by the president on Thursday. She is currently being prosecuted for her involvement in the 2020 phony electors plan, which aimed to fraudulently provide Trump Michigan’s electoral votes even though he lost to former President Joe Biden.
During his first term, Trump’s ambassador to Fiji, Joe Cella, also ran for the party’s top job. In addition to his work with the Trump administration, Cella was a member of Trump’s transition team and the campaign’s Catholic liaison in 2016.
Initially running for the job, Republican consultant Scott Greenlee eventually endorsed Maddock after withdrawing his bid.
Dan Wholihan, who was voted to chair Michigan’s 7th Congressional District Republican Committee in 2023, presented the results of the first round of voting, which showed that none of the three chair candidates had more than 50% of the vote. Cella, who garnered the lowest percentage of the vote (23.47%), was eliminated, while Runestad and Maddock moved on to the next round of voting.
In a subsequent concession, Maddock—who had won 37% of the vote in the second round—called for a resolution to cast a unanimous vote in favor of Runestad.
Republicans are preparing to challenge for each executive position as Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson face term limitations in 2026. Benson, however, has already declared her intention to run as the Democrat’s next governor in 2026, and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson is also putting himself forward. Republican candidates for governor include Anthony Hudson, a truck driver from Genesee County, and Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.).A lifelong Democrat, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent.
The Michigan Senate and House of Representatives will return to the ballot, along with the state’s three executive positions. After U.S. Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) resigned from the state Senate at the end of last year after gaining a seat in Congress, Republicans now control a six-member majority in the House, while Democrats enjoy a one-member majority.
The neutral University of Virginia Center for Politics has already declared the campaign a toss-up, giving Republicans the chance to win another seat in the U.S. Senate when U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield, Twp.) announced he will not seek reelection. In Michigan’s 7th Congressional district, which the Cook Political report similarly rated as a toss-up, freshman Representative Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) is likewise anticipated to have a close contest.
On Saturday, Michigan Democrats hosted their own convention at the Renaissance Center. After longtime community organizer Al BJ Wilson withdrew from the race, former state senator Curtis Hertel (D-East Lansing) was chosen to serve as chair.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.