Conflict-ridden Michigan GOP has to run a presidential caucus in a few weeks

The Republican National Committee formally stepped in Wednesday to resolve more than a month of conflict over who really leads the Michigan GOP. Now, the state Republican Party needs to turn around and put on a party-run caucus in early March.

Michigan’s presidential primary is on Feb. 27, after the Democratic National Committee agreed to a new schedule of nominating contests that moved the state earlier. But that wasn’t compliant with RNC rules, resulting in a two-part solution: Republican voters in Michigan will now be able to participate in the state’s primary on Feb. 27, followed by the GOP caucuses on March 2 that will decide most of the state’s presidential delegates.

While the state runs the primary, the party puts on the caucuses — and the party is having trouble running anything right now. In January, a group of Michigan GOP state committee members voted to remove Kristina Karamo, who has served as state party chair since February 2023, but she said the vote was illegitimate and has refused to give up her position to former Rep. Pete Hoekstra, who was voted in by a separate faction last month.

On Wednesday, the Republican National Committee formally recognized Hoekstra as the chairman, though Karamo implied she’ll continue fighting. Amid the civil war with Hoekstra, who won support from former President Donald Trump, she had retained control of party email accounts and other assets.

Karamo released a defiant statement Wednesday night via video message on the Michigan GOP’s X account, which she still controls. She intends to continue acting as the leader of the state party, despite the recognition of Hoekstra as its new leader — raising questions about whether rank-and-file Republicans will be getting mixed