One of the most conservative members of the Michigan Legislature has joined the race to replace Michigan Republican Party Chairman Pete Hoekstra.

“Today I am very excited to announce, in this short video, my candidacy for Michigan Republican Party Chair,” White Lake Township Republican state Sen. Jim Runestad posted to X on Friday. “I pledge to bring transparency, accountability, and integrity to this role. My commitment is to transform our party into a unified force that restores trust, upholds conservative principals, and does everything possible to secure wins for Michigan.”

Runestad touted his decade of experience as one of the most conservative lawmakers in the Michigan legislature and a “vow to upend the dominance and exploitation by the politically agnostic, self-serving consulting class.”

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“Everything is at stake in 2026, and we must take the fight to Gretchen Whitmer and her Democrat acolytes’ reign of terror and create a red wave from the governor to U.S. Senate on down,” he said in an attached video. “I will work relentlessly with you, our grassroots, and our donors to unify into one effective machine to achieve success, to achieve victory, all without sacrificing our principles.”

The post comes just days after President-elect Donald Trump announced his pick of current party chair Pete Hoekstra to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Canada next year. Hoekstra served as the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump’s first term.

Hoekstra took over as Michigan GOP Party chair in February to replace Kristina Karamo, who was removed amid questions about her financial and fundraising choices.

Political insiders contend the Michigan GOP needs a chairman that would continue Hoekstra’s focus on uniting factions in the party.

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“I think someone who’s got access to the influence of the donor base, someone who can network or relate to the grassroots, and someone who can motivate the volunteers to go out there and do cartwheels for the candidates,” Oakland County Republican Party chair Vance Patrick, who ran for the post earlier this year, told WCMU.

Patrick said he won’t run again, but offered several potential candidates including consultant Scott Greenlee, state party Finance Chair Warren Carpenter, and Karamo.

In a Monday interview with 910 AM radio host Justin Barclay, Runestad said he believes leadership shutting out concerns from grassroots members is a major issue the party has struggled with for years that he aims to fix.

“Anything that’s percolating up from the grassroots, the boots on the ground, the people who actually see the problems and could make recommendations, are all shut down. That’s what I’ve seen in the state party for decade after decade after decade,” he said. “So, my approach would be completely different. I would say I want to type up on your phone every suggestion, we will collate them once a week. I will go through all with the names of the people, some are going to be completely nonworkable, but there are others that are going to be fabulous.”

“Normally, not a single thing gets up to the chair,” he said. “Gatekeepers kill absolutely everything, including even people who offer money.”

Runestad also discussed the need to end factionalism in the party and to address its finances as major issues moving forward.

Greenlee echoed a similar perspective when contacted by WCMU, although he said other candidates, rules, and timing will impact his decision on whether to pursue the post.

“They’ve got to have a plan. They’ve got to be transparent. They’ve got to make sure that the delegates understand there truly is room at the table for every person that wants to be heard,” Greenlee said.

Other potential contenders include former Michigan GOP co-chairwoman Meshawn Maddock, wife of state Rep. Matt Maddock, R-Milford, former University of Michigan regent candidate Lena Epstein, and former attorney general candidate Matt DePerno.

Maddock did not return a request for comment from The Detroit News on the race.

“Whoever it is, the next chair has to continue Hoekstra’s work of fundraising, and moving the party past parochial squabbles,” Jason Watts, a Republican campaign consultant and former treasurer of the Allegan County Republican Party, told the Detroit Free Press. “Greenlee has that track record, Epstein could be that person if she’s focused. I’m not sure Maddock or Runestad can bridge that gap.”

Whoever prevails will lead Michigan Republicans through the 2026 election cycle, when voters will elect a new governor, secretary of state and attorney general.

The Michigan Democratic Party will also get new leadership after current chairwoman Lavora Barnes announced her decision not to seek a fourth two-year term on Nov. 13.

Both parties are expected to select new leaders at conventions early next year.