(WWJ) – The growing push over the past few weeks to remove Michigan GOP Chairwoman Kristina Karamo reached a breaking point Saturday afternoon as a faction of the party’s state committee gathered in Oakland County and voted to oust her from the position.
Karamo, who did not attend the meeting, claims it was not official and was illegally organized.
Speaking live on WWJ Saturday night, Karamo vowed to fight the results, saying those who voted to remove her “will not get away with it.”
“We will be doing everything possible to hold these individuals accountable,” Karamo said live on air. They will not be allowed to serve again as state committee members, because it’s very clear the process — every organization has rules and individuals don’t get to break the rules and still be able to participate in the party.”
Karamo called those who voted to remove her a “group of rogue individuals who have illegally conspired to essentially steal the Michigan Republican party.”
“What they’ve done is completely illegal. Our bylaws are very clear on the process to call meetings, remove members, and what you have is a failed attempt by individuals who have corrupted the Michigan Republican Party for decades who have lost elections for three cycles in a row that conspired with a woman who was elected to be my co-chair to lead a fraudulent meeting,” Karamo said.
The dispute could set the stage for a court fight to determine control of the highest position within the state GOP, as we begin a pivotal election year.
Current co-chair Malinda Pego was named as acting chair following the vote.
Another meeting has been scheduled for next weekend, with a proposal to have candidates nominated by precinct delegates, and not voters.
Earlier Saturday on WWJ Oakland County Republican Party Chair Vance Patrick said Karamo is a friend, but the party needs money.
"The party needs money to function. That's the biggest part," Patrick said. "There's a delicate balance of using the grassroots, but again, you need to have the money in the bank, and unfortunately, there's no money."