GOP Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock (Photo: Twitter video)
Ex-President Donald Trump has endorsed a number of Republican candidates in Michigan, but that coveted backing doesn't come simply with a polite ask to the man.
HuffPost reports:
Republicans from this political battleground say there’s only one way to get the former president’s attention, and that’s to know and support Michigan GOP co-chair Meshawn Maddock, her state representative husband Matt Maddock and their adult children, who are involved in varying degrees with the couple’s political endeavors.
Depending on which wing of the GOP you ask, the Maddocks are either savvy political operators or dangerous extremists who amplify election conspiracies and helped instigate the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. The couple solidified their power trying to overturn the election in Michigan, then brokered nearly two dozen endorsements for their allies, according to Republicans who spoke to HuffPost, making their state the ultimate test for Trump as a GOP kingmaker in the midterms.
Meshawn Maddock is far from beloved by all the bigwigs in the state party, but that hasn't prevented her from using her influence.
Last month, Deadline Detroit reported that she went against party protocol by endorsing attorney general candidate Matthew DePerno and secretary of state hopeful Kristina Karamo. Both have the backing of Trump. Usually, party leaders like Meshawn would avoid any conflicts and wait to endorse a candidate after they've been selected to run in the general election.
Post on Maddock's Facebook page with photo of Rep. Bill Huizenga
Other signs of her fingerprints in endorsements came last month when Republican Steve Carra dropped out of the 4th Congressional District race in West Michigan after Trump rescinded his official backing of Carra and gave it to another GOP candidate.
Maddock posted a copy of a Washington Examiner article on Facebook that talked about the change in endorsements with a handwritten message on it from Trump: "Steve thanks - you have a great future."
Maddock wrote above the posting: "Just got this from POTUS, he wanted you to see it, Steve Carra and I agree, you do have a GREAT future! I’ll give you the original when it comes in the mail."
There’s no playbook for a state’s GOP leader enlisting a former president’s direct involvement in lower-level races for her or his own political gain, HuffPost notes
“It’s unprecedented,” Bill Ballenger, a former state lawmaker and longtime political commentator tells the news site. “I mean, are you kidding? Richard Nixon or George H.W. Bush endorsing candidates for, you know, the 101st state House district nine months before the election? It’s never happened.”
Trump was in Macomb County on Saturday delivering a speech to thousands of supporters. He has yet to endorse a gubernatorial candidate, though he did give a shoutout to one.
“Now we have a candidate for governor who’s very popular, who’s a fantastic, brilliant candidate, Tudor Dixon,” Trump said during his speech, according to the Detroit Free Press. “Thank you, Tudor, I hear you’re doing well.”
Tudor is a conservative commentator who has visited Mar-a-Lago, as have candidates Perry Johnson and ex-Detroit Police Chief James Craig.
One Republican political insider recently told Deadline Detroit that it's possible Trump may not endorse a gubernatorial candidate if he doesn't think any can beat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat he battled and showed great disdain for while president.
In West Michigan, Trump is backing Republican challengers opposing GOP Reps. Fred Upton and Peter Meijer, who both voted to impeach Trump last year. They were among 10 GOP members of the House doing so.
Related:
DePerno Urges Backers to 'Storm' Michigan County GOP Conventions to Boost His AG Try
