GOP LISTS KEEP GROWING
There are now four officially announced candidates to become the chair of the state Republican party, which will be decided at the February 21-22 state convention in Detroit, with the entry of former Fiji Ambassador Joseph Cella, appointed during the first term of Donald Trump. Cella in past years worked for a number of state lawmakers, along with former congressional members Spence Abraham and Thaddeus McCotter. He joins the race along with political consultant Scott Greenlee, who tried for the post in 2023 and was past vice chair of the GOP 2009-2010; Meshawn Maddock from Milford, wife of state Representative Matt Maddock and former state party chair who is tangled up in court on charges that she tried to undermine the 2020 presidential election; and Michigan Senator Jim Runestad from White Lake, who has let it be known that he may not give up his current seat if he gets the convention nod for the party chair post. The skinny among the chattering class is that originally it was thought the race would end up being a contest between Greenlee and Maddock, but some observers are finding it interesting that Trump has not issued an endorsement for the latter despite a past close relationship with her and her recent suggestion that she would likely have his backing. Further, behind the scenes word is that Cella appears to have the support of two former Republican Michigan governors, Rick Snyder and John Engler. We’re told Engler has actually been making phone calls, no doubt to lock up convention votes for Cella. However, one party stalwart speculates that Cella’s reputation as a Catholic religion activist may not set well with the MAGA crowd in February. Meanwhile, a couple of party members say Runestad could be picking up support. One observer shared that Runestad spoke at a January breakfast gathering and seemed “to be very well received, including from at least two GOP state Reps that were in the room.” Although this Republican added: “Of course, it’s all about which delegates show up to the convention,” an obvious reference to whether the party base will still be controlled by MAGA acolytes or is beginning to moderate, as some have suggested.
