Swing state Republicans are planning to overhaul their state party’s leadership structure after a series of major losses this election cycle left the GOP unable to capitalize on a projected “red tide.”
GOP operatives in top states like Arizona, Michigan and New Hampshire say their individual state parties should be well prepared for 2024. Not only are the states key to a potential GOP White House victory, but they also hold several important contests that will determine control. Representatives of the US Senate and House of Representatives.
In Virginia, for example, a party may decide that the state will hold a primary or convention to determine candidates for local and federal office. At times, both formats have been used to sideline candidates who have strong support from the party’s base but are too controversial to win the general election.
While not all states hold power, state party chairmen still have significant influence. This post is responsible for fundraising, recruiting candidates and volunteers, and being the public face of the party.
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Republicans learned just how damaging the ad issue can be in Arizona, where fiery state party chairwoman Kelly Ward presided over the loss of two U.S. Senate seats and the governorship.
(Kelly Ward | Facebook)
Republicans learned just how damaging the ad issue can be in Arizona, where fiery state party chairwoman Kelly Ward presided over the loss of two U.S. Senate seats and the governorship. Ward, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, led the effort to overturn President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in the state.
Ward’s claim that the election was rigged has caused a split with Republican Gov. Doug Ducey. The showdown ended with Ward criticizing Ducey for certifying the Arizona GOP’s 2020 election results.
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“Kelly Ward has led our party into a deep quagmire with no real plan for the future,” said Karrin Taylor Robson, whose GOP bid for governor of Arizona failed this cycle.
Taylor Robson is one of several Republicans who have called on Ward to step down after the GOP lost key races for governor and Senate this year. Ward has already announced he will not seek another term.
Ward’s departure will mobilize rivals to ensure his replacement does not accept a similar move.
Both Michigan GOP presidential candidates have backed Trump’s allegations of serious election fraud in the 2020 election. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
“This has been a reliably red state that has turned blue in recent years, in part because of population growth and demographics,” said one longtime Arizona GOP donor. “But part of that is because we’ve moved too far from the mainstream. Republican voters went to the polls in large numbers this November, but many chose not to vote directly GOP because of the quality of the candidates.” .
A similar reckoning is taking place in Michigan. The state GOP chairman is withdrawing from re-election after the party lost competitive races for the governorship and several U.S. House seats.
Two shortlisted candidates are already vying for the position this year. Matt DePerno, who lost his bid for state attorney general this year, has already announced his candidacy for party chairman. Also in the running is Christina Karamo, an unsuccessful GOP secretary of state nominee this cycle.
Both DePerno and Karamo supported Trump’s allegations of serious election fraud in the 2020 election. The nominations come despite warnings from the Michigan GOP that too much focus on contentious intra-party issues could hurt Republicans this cycle.
“As a party, we’ve seen a consistent power struggle between Trump and anti-Trump factions of the party, primarily the donor class,” Michigan GOP Chief of Staff Paul Corders wrote in a post-election autopsy. “This power struggle has ended up with too many people and hurt Republicans in key races.”
The New Hampshire GOP failed to carry the state in 2020 and lost competitive races for the Senate and US House in 2022.
(Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Despite Karamo and DePerno entering the race, several other moderate Republicans are eyeing challenges but have yet to declare. According to a Michigan political strategist, moderates are aiming to unify around a single candidate to avoid splitting the vote.
Things are a little different in New Hampshire. GOP incumbent Stephen Stepanek is stepping down after four years at the helm of the party.
While Republicans retained the governorship and regained control of the state legislature under Stepanek, the GOP failed to carry the state in 2020 and lost competitive races for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House in 2022.
New Hampshire GOP National Committeeman Chris Ager said he’s working to build on the state party’s success and make it more competitive at the federal level.
“The current leadership has done very well here, even though New England is a difficult environment,” Ager said. “I want to take this to the next level by expanding our fundraising efforts.”
Ager plans to form a fundraising committee and hire a finance director to boost the party’s coffers. He also wants to streamline the party infrastructure to help candidates for state and federal posts.
“I’ve talked to all of our state and federal candidates to see what we can do to help more,” Ager said. “It all serves a greater purpose. A streamlined operation will help everyone from the presidential level to the statehouse.”