Flint – Former Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Kristina Karamo was escorted out of the state Republican convention by police Saturday after the delegates’ gathering at the Dort Financial Center in Flint began with a loud commotion.
Around noon, another person, whom the Detroit News could not immediately identify, was led out of the arena by a group of police officers with his arms handcuffed behind his back after he shouted at people in the crowd around him, according to security.
Karamo, however – who the party said was not a registered delegate from her home district of Oakland – showed up at the convention around 11 a.m. She was surrounded by her supporters and security officials tried to talk to her.
Eventually, two police officers with badges escorted Karamo off the stage — as she was shoved back and forth between a security guard and one of the people accompanying Karamo. Later, police officers escorted her through the lobby, where she answered questions from reporters, and out of the arena.
“I’m here to support a candidate,” Karamo said as police escorted him out of the arena lobby. “Pete Hoekstra and his thugs are trying to get me thrown out of the convention.”
“I only came here to support a candidate,” Karamo added. “And now they want me kicked out.”
Karamo said she plans to support Alexandria Taylor, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the Michigan Supreme Court, at the party’s convention on Saturday.
Tyson Shepard, executive director of the Michigan GOP, said in a statement that Karamo was not a registered delegate for Saturday’s convention and was offered guest admission but declined.
“She was politely asked to leave the building, but she refused,” Shepard said. “Police were called and escorted her out of the building because she was causing a disturbance and causing congestion. We thank them for their handling of the situation.”
“Due to the disruptive behavior of some participants, law enforcement authorities have decided to increase their presence to ensure the safe and smooth running of the meeting.”
After Karamo was escorted out of the gathering, the second and other people were forced out of the arena and apparently arrested by Flint police officers.
Karamo, a former candidate for secretary of state and a favorite of the party’s grassroots wing, was elected chair of the state party in February 2023. Then in January, a group of members of the Michigan Republican State Committee, frustrated with her leadership style and difficulty raising funds, voted to remove her, while another group voted to keep her in office.
In February, a Kent County District Court judge found that Karamo had been removed under the party’s bylaws and recognized Pete Hoekstra, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, as the new leader.
When Hoekstra attempted to speak at the party conference on Saturday morning, he was booed by some of the hundreds of delegates in attendance.
