GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Every attendee to the Michigan Republican Party’s official convention Saturday had it emblazoned on the badges that hung around their necks: “Up from the ashes.”
The organization is attempting to unite around former President Donald Trump and move on from deep divisions that have led to an ousted chair, a legal battle, and nearly empty campaign coffers heading into a presidential election year in a pivotal swing state.
It’s unclear whether that optimism will pan out: A rump convention of dissidents to take place in Detroit Saturday was dissolved last-minute after a court ruling. Two other gatherings popped up in its place, as backers of former chair Kristina Karamo – who still claims to be the rightful Michigan GOP party leader – met after being refused credentials to the Grand Rapids convention for missing the registration deadline.
Delegates from those meetings won’t be recognized by the Republican National Committee at its convention in Milwaukee this summer. So some party members from Michigan’s 1st and 4th Congressional districts came to Grand Rapids instead, hoping their votes would count.