Michigan conservative activist Meshawn Maddock promises “to be the biggest attack dog on Gretchen Whitmer and Lansing Democrats, while also being the biggest cheerleader for Michigan House Republicans and President Trump.”
“I spent a few months leading up to the election meeting with a few people earnestly seeking someone I can get behind to lead the party through the next cycle,” Maddock told The Midwesterner. “I realized there was nobody with more knowledge about that than myself.”
The realization, she said, led the former Michigan GOP co-chair to announce on Friday her bid to take over as chair of the state party from former Congressman Pete Hoekstra, who was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as ambassador to Canada.
Go Ad-Free, Get Content, Go Premium Today - $1 Trial
Maddock, a staunch Trump supporter and wife of state Rep. Matt Maddock, R-Milford, served as Michigan GOP co-chair during the 2022 election. She’s among 16 Michigan Republicans who were charged with election-related felonies by Democrat Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in the wake of the 2020 election. Nessel campaigned first for President Joe Biden, then Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
While that case is still ongoing, Maddock contends “the party is in a great place right now” following Trump’s 2024 victory, and she has the leadership and experience to keep the momentum going.
“I realized I have sat in many leadership roles in the Michigan Republican Party already, not to mention the leadership roles I’ve had in the Trump campaign,” Maddock told The Midwesterner. “I don’t think there’s very many people in Michigan who can say the same.”
“Trump’s 2024 campaign built a coalition in Michigan that is the blueprint for our success in 2026,” Maddock posted to X. “We won Michigan because of the inroads we made with the Albanians, Chaldeans, Asian Indians, Pakistanis, Muslims, African Americans, college students, and labor communities.
Donald Trump was right, I am not tired of winning. In 2024, we made historic gains and once again proved that Michigan is MAGA Country.⁰That is why I am excited to let you all know that I have decided to run to be the next Michigan Republican Party Chair. ⁰in 2026.
— meshawn maddock (@MeshawnMaddock) December 13, 2024
Go Ad-Free, Get Content, Go Premium Today - $1 Trial
“As your next Chair, I will continue to expand our coalitions in non-traditional Republican areas across the state. We are ready to do big things in 2026, but we have to get 2025 right.”
Michigan’s 2026 midterm election will feature contests for the state House and Senate, as well as governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and U.S. House and Senate seats.
Michigan voters in November ended Democrats’ first government trifecta in 40 years by electing a new House Republican majority, and Maddock said she’s “committed to work with Speaker-elect (Matt) Hall and whoever our next Senate … leader is” to “rewind the damage they’ve done.”
“This trifecta of terror has literally put us through a horror show for years,” she said.
Maddock’s joins Michigan state Sen. Jim Runestad in the race for the Michigan GOP chair.
Runestad announced bid in November with a promise to “bring transparency, accountability, and integrity” to the position.
Runestad touted his decade of experience as one of the most conservative lawmakers in the Michigan legislature and vowed “to upend the dominance and exploitation by the politically agnostic, self-serving consulting class.”
“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,” Runestad said in a video announcement. “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.”
Hello Michigan Republicans,
Today I am very excited to announce, in this short video, my candidacy for Michigan Republican Party Chair. I pledge to bring transparency, accountability, and integrity to this role. My commitment is to transform our party into a unified force that… pic.twitter.com/fUDCTLSDMR— Jim Runestad (@RunWithRunestad) November 22, 2024
On Monday, Maddock took issue with Runestad’s efforts to lead the party while serving as a state senator, “thinking he can do this very full-time job.”
“I have absolutely no idea what he’s thinking,” Maddock said. “It’s not fair to the party and not fair to the Republicans in Michigan.”
Hoekstra took over as Michigan GOP Party chair in February, replacing Kristina Karamo, who was removed amid questions about her financial and fundraising choices.
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.