RNC recognizes Pete Hoekstra as the new Michigan Republican Party chair

The Republican National Committee has recognized former Rep. Pete Hoekstra as chairman of the Michigan GOP — a move aimed at settling a nasty dispute over party leadership in the battleground state.

An RNC official confirmed the decision Wednesday evening.

Hoekstra was selected by a faction of state party activists to replace Kristina Karamo, whose financial decisions and fundraising abilities had drawn wide criticism. But Karamo had refused to leave the post, arguing that she was not removed in accordance with party by-laws. The result had been a confusing stalemate, with both Hoekstra and Karamo claimingto be the chair.

Former President Donald Trump stepped into the battle last month, endorsing Hoekstra, who was his ambassador to the Netherlands.

An RNC panel had “ruled that it is their belief that Karamo was removed as chair, and it was recommended to the RNC Executive Committee to ratify Hoekstra as chair,” the RNC official told NBC News. “The Executive Committee took action today to unanimously ratify Hoekstra as an RNC member as chair.”

Hoekstra cheered the decision in a statement sentfrom the Gmail account his Michigan GOP team set up to communicate with the media while Karamo’s rival team maintained control of state party property.

“Both the RNC and our party’s presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, have now come forward and recognized me as the duly elected chair of the Michigan Republican Party,” Hoekstra said. “It is time for the former chair who was properly removed in accordance with the MIGOP bylaws to end her misinformation campaign.”

A statement issued later Wednesday by Karamo’s team struck a defiant tone.

“The Michigan Republican Party will continue to move forward under the leadership of the Karamo