Jim Runestad

There are no rules for POTUS in regards to endorsement. The same cannot be said for many of the elected positions within the Republican Party. I know there are those who say “rules be damned. We don’t need rules”. I just happen to not be one of them. I am pro following the rules set for the position of my office. I cannot be induced to violate the rules on behalf of this or that candidate. If you read my post, very, very slowly, you will see what the real issue is

@RunWithRunestad Tell that to President Trump.

My response to today’s social media endorsement by Oakland County Republican Chair and Vice Chair Vance Patrick and Terri Nallamothu: The issue isn’t whether Vance Patrick and Terri Nallamothu have a First Amendment right to endorse a candidate. Of course they do. The issue is whether the Chairman and Vice Chair of the Oakland County Republican Party should be using their official positions to influence a contested Republican primary. Their statement repeatedly invokes their offices: “As leaders of the largest Republican county organization in Michigan…” “As county party leaders…” “Our responsibility is not simply to elect a governor…” Those aren’t the words of two private citizens. They are the words of people asking Republicans to trust their judgment because of the offices they hold. Adding a disclaimer at the end that says, “Issued in a personal capacity,” doesn’t erase the fact that the entire statement is built around their authority as county party leaders. The spirit of the Oakland County Republican Party bylaws is straightforward: party leadership should remain neutral in contested primaries unless the Executive Committee formally authorizes an endorsement. That protects the grassroots’ right to choose their nominee without interference from those entrusted to lead the organization. Every Republican is free to support the candidate of their choice. But when party officers repeatedly invoke their leadership roles and responsibilities to persuade Republican voters, many will reasonably view that as an endorsement from the Chairman and Vice Chair—not simply two private individuals. At a minimum, Republicans can disagree on whether this crossed the line. But it’s difficult to argue that it reflects the spirit of neutrality the bylaws were intended to preserve.

@MrAustinPredict I am pro following the rules set for the position of my office. I cannot be induced to violate the rules on behalf of this or that candidate. If you read my post, very, very slowly, you will see what the real issue is

@RunWithRunestad This is why the Michigan GOP has gotten destroyed in the last 2 governor races. +10 point losses. Perry is the only option and every grassroot Michigan Republican knows it. Come on.

@IanCarr16160325 @ChaseVogt I am pro following the rules set for the position of my office. I cannot be induced to violate the rules on behalf of this or that candidate. If you read my post, very, very slowly, you will see what the real issue is

@RunWithRunestad @ChaseVogt Read one not filled with 'selected' occupants. This should have been a 1 on 1 conversation. Your response was designed to create consequences for the OP....this isn't leadership, it's a juvenile tantrum trying to give the opposition party fodder to go after the OP.

@labmomma63 @POTUS I am pro following the rules set for the position of my office. I cannot be induced to violate the rules on behalf of this or that candidate. If you read my post, very, very slowly, you will see what the real issue is.

@RunWithRunestad This is akin to @POTUS endorsing a primary candidate instead of allowing Michiganders to CHOOSE who WE want.

@WeckesserBill I am pro following the rules set for the position of my office. I cannot be induced to violate the rules on behalf of this or that candidate. If you read my post, very, very slowly, you will see what the real issue is

@RunWithRunestad Nervous

@WinPatriotMI I am pro following the rules set for the position of my office. I cannot be induced to violate the rules on behalf of this or that candidate. If you read my post, very, very slowly, you will see what the real issue is.

@RunWithRunestad I haven’t decided what I am doing just yet but this sounds like you’re pro- JJ even if unintentionally doing so. Maybe you should have held off until after the primary to address it; right now it’s just useless and makes me even more pissed we don’t have a hard core easy choice

@Bubbachitchat1 Debra, I couldn’t care less who they endorse in their personal capacity. If you reread the post slowly, you’ll see what the issue is. It was the language they used indicating their official capacities. That was the issue.

@RunWithRunestad And the majority of your EC must not agree that the Oakland County Party was represented in their personal endorsement or your chair would be voted out.

Whether it is the Oakland County Republican Party or MIGOP Vice Chairs, there are rules governing the role of party leadership. County party rules are often more stringent, while the state party rules provide more flexibility. Below are the MIGOP rules for Vice Chairs. If those rules are violated, I will certainly make it an issue both publicly and privately. The MIGOP bylaws contain an express provision allowing individual Vice Chairs and other party officers to endorse candidates, but with an important limitation: the officer cannot use their official party capacity to make that endorsement. The relevant language states: “Any member of any committee or officer of any committee (or staff) may individually endorse a Republican candidate seeking in a contested primary, caucus, or convention election. The endorsement may not reference any official capacity of the member of the party as a delegate, committee member, or officer. A personal campaign contribution is permitted.” What this means for MIGOP Vice Chairs: A MIGOP Vice Chair is not prohibited from: endorsing a candidate in a Republican primary; volunteering personally; making a personal contribution; expressing a personal political opinion. The line is crossed when an officer uses their official party position, title, or authority to influence a contested primary.

@DerrickHoneyman @RunWithRunestad I think Krish is one of yours honestly based on many things I have heard!

Lol. @RunWithRunestad really has no idea what the hell is going on in his own party.

Whether it is the Oakland County Republican Party or MIGOP Vice Chairs, there are rules governing the role of party leadership. County party rules are often more stringent, while the state party rules provide more flexibility. Below are the MIGOP rules for Vice Chairs. If those rules are violated, I will certainly make it an issue both publicly and privately. The MIGOP bylaws contain an express provision allowing individual Vice Chairs and other party officers to endorse candidates, but with an important limitation: the officer cannot use their official party capacity to make that endorsement. The relevant language states: “Any member of any committee or officer of any committee (or staff) may individually endorse a Republican candidate seeking in a contested primary, caucus, or convention election. The endorsement may not reference any official capacity of the member of the party as a delegate, committee member, or officer. A personal campaign contribution is permitted.” What this means for MIGOP Vice Chairs: A MIGOP Vice Chair is not prohibited from: endorsing a candidate in a Republican primary; volunteering personally; making a personal contribution; expressing a personal political opinion. The line is crossed when an officer uses their official party position, title, or authority to influence a contested primary.

@krishformi @RunWithRunestad so to be clear, @RunWithRunestad you’re fine with @krishformi’s mom being paid by @JohnJamesMI to bypass him breaking any rules?

Had a great conversation with @RunWithRunestad today. We both agree: I haven’t broken a single bylaw. In fact, I’m doing everything right. I’m grateful for his support and appreciate him taking the time to discuss the facts. When supporting the Trump-Endorsed America First Congressman is your biggest sin, you’re doing something right. Onward! 🇺🇸

He won’t find me endorsing contested candidates before a primary in my position. If the rules constrain your desire to endorse, you should abide them per the honor of people voting you into the office. I’m a member of the Oakland County executive committee and I just happen to be old-fashioned. I believe you should follow the rules set forth by the people who honored you with the position. Actually, I kind of thought that’s what Republicans were for.

If they endorsed James would this be an issue? Our Republican Party platform (rules) began in 2016 strong on protections of life and American Exceptionalism. It has been watered down for years by watered down leaders. We need strong grassroots maga leaders who stand up and rally republicans back with integrity and clarity of vision. Leaders who stop dividing us by “normal” Republicans vs MAGA Republicans and admit that Trump is the Leader of the Republican Party. Ask Oakland Co republicans if they appreciate knowing where their leaders stand and if it helps them to unite earlier and stronger in November. County parties have been breaking the primary endorsement rules for years (old guard Saginaw County for one) and our Migop never notices until they endorse a grassroots candidate.

@DonnieDetroit19 Establishment politician? That’s gotta be one of the best ones. I’ve heard yet.

@RunWithRunestad Establishment GOP politician rushing to protect the establishment GOP RINO candidate. Stop the presses.

@Bubbachitchat1 Indeed. But do we want to have rules or not. The choice is pretty clear.

@RunWithRunestad I believe Republicans want to know more about the candidates from our respected leaders instead of from ads, paid influencers and social media posts.

@krishformi Krish, let me clarify that, I am not aware of any bylaw or rule you have broken. I’m not willing to say cart Blanche that I know everything you or any other Vice chair has been doing.

Whether it is the Oakland County Republican Party or MIGOP Vice Chairs, there are rules governing the role of party leadership. County party rules are often more stringent, while the state party rules provide more flexibility. Below are the MIGOP rules for Vice Chairs. If those rules are violated, I will certainly make it an issue both publicly and privately. The MIGOP bylaws contain an express provision allowing individual Vice Chairs and other party officers to endorse candidates, but with an important limitation: the officer cannot use their official party capacity to make that endorsement. The relevant language states: “Any member of any committee or officer of any committee (or staff) may individually endorse a Republican candidate seeking in a contested primary, caucus, or convention election. The endorsement may not reference any official capacity of the member of the party as a delegate, committee member, or officer. A personal campaign contribution is permitted.” What this means for MIGOP Vice Chairs: A MIGOP Vice Chair is not prohibited from: endorsing a candidate in a Republican primary; volunteering personally; making a personal contribution; expressing a personal political opinion. The line is crossed when an officer uses their official party position, title, or authority to influence a contested primary.

@RunWithRunestad There are county party chairs, county party vice chairs and county party committee members endorsing both candidates for the gubernatorial nomination. That's politics. /4

You endorsed Rogers. It's an endorsement by the state party chairman. I don't have any problem with political actors making endorsements. How about calling donors instead of playing keyboard warrior and commenting on what a county party chairman does or doesn't do in their own capacity? /3

Kristen, in my role, I cannot be the police of who’s receiving donations. The only purpose of my post was to indicate that we need to be following the rules. If there are MIGOP chairs violating them that is something and I can certainly look into. My concern with Vance Patrick’s post was a clear violation, in my mind, of language, correlating his position of authority with his endorsement, which is a very clear violation of my reading of the OCRP bylaws. That is the extent of it. If there are other examples of that, I think people should also call it out across the state of mission if people are violating to those rules.

My issue is what Chris, Ben and Krish have been doing has been completely out in the open now for months. I'm not trying to attack you at all, I just can't believe that anyone in the GOP would get behind an AIPAC-funded puppet in the first place. We know that John James is an automatic loss and I know that you know about the Liberty crossover vote and that's what I build coalitions with. It's very imperative Perry gets through the primary or we're done in the general. I can't get Libertarians to cross over for somebody who went against Thomas Massie's Amendment to defund the kill switch. Massie is their Ron Paul.

Whether it is the Oakland County Republican Party or MIGOP Vice Chairs, there are rules governing the role of party leadership. County party rules are often more stringent, while the state party rules provide more flexibility. Below are the MIGOP rules for Vice Chairs. If those rules are violated, I will certainly make it an issue both publicly and privately. The MIGOP bylaws contain an express provision allowing individual Vice Chairs and other party officers to endorse candidates, but with an important limitation: the officer cannot use their official party capacity to make that endorsement. The relevant language states: “Any member of any committee or officer of any committee (or staff) may individually endorse a Republican candidate seeking in a contested primary, caucus, or convention election. The endorsement may not reference any official capacity of the member of the party as a delegate, committee member, or officer. A personal campaign contribution is permitted.” What this means for MIGOP Vice Chairs: A MIGOP Vice Chair is not prohibited from: * endorsing a candidate in a Republican primary; * volunteering personally; * making a personal contribution; * expressing a personal political opinion. The line is crossed when an officer uses their official party position, title, or authority to influence a contested primary.

@KristenMeghan Kristen, there’s no outrage if you reach my post. My only concern is violating the rules. Please read the rules below, and if any of the Vice chairs are violating them, I will absolutely make an issue.

@PJQualityGuru @parkermaddock @krishformi If anyone brings violations to me about the Vice chairs, I will absolutely investigate it.

Thanks, Jim. I trust that you’ll look into it and we appreciate that. Yes, I understand county parties have their own rules that are separate from your rules. My understanding is that your team of Vice Chairs has financial reporting requirements in the bylaws and those reporting requirements have not yet been met.

Thank you, Perry. I will check to see if any of the Weiss chairs are violating any of the rules listed below. Whether it is the Oakland County Republican Party or MIGOP Vice Chairs, there are rules governing the role of party leadership. County party rules are often more stringent, while the state party rules provide more flexibility. Below are the MIGOP rules for Vice Chairs. If those rules are violated, I will certainly make it an issue both publicly and privately. The MIGOP bylaws contain an express provision allowing individual Vice Chairs and other party officers to endorse candidates, but with an important limitation: the officer cannot use their official party capacity to make that endorsement. The relevant language states: “Any member of any committee or officer of any committee (or staff) may individually endorse a Republican candidate seeking in a contested primary, caucus, or convention election. The endorsement may not reference any official capacity of the member of the party as a delegate, committee member, or officer. A personal campaign contribution is permitted.” What this means for MIGOP Vice Chairs: A MIGOP Vice Chair is not prohibited from: endorsing a candidate in a Republican primary; volunteering personally; making a personal contribution; expressing a personal political opinion. The line is crossed when an officer uses their official party position, title, or authority to influence a contested primary.

I will certainly look into Krish’s behavior, but this below is the standard set, not by me, but by state party rules. Whether it is the Oakland County Republican Party or MIGOP Vice Chairs, there are rules governing the role of party leadership. County party rules are often more stringent, while the state party rules provide more flexibility. Below are the MIGOP rules for Vice Chairs. If those rules are violated, I will certainly make it an issue both publicly and privately. The MIGOP bylaws contain an express provision allowing individual Vice Chairs and other party officers to endorse candidates, but with an important limitation: the officer cannot use their official party capacity to make that endorsement. The relevant language states: “Any member of any committee or officer of any committee (or staff) may individually endorse a Republican candidate seeking in a contested primary, caucus, or convention election. The endorsement may not reference any official capacity of the member of the party as a delegate, committee member, or officer. A personal campaign contribution is permitted.” What this means for MIGOP Vice Chairs: A MIGOP Vice Chair is not prohibited from: * endorsing a candidate in a Republican primary; * volunteering personally; * making a personal contribution; * expressing a personal political opinion. The line is crossed when an officer uses their official party position, title, or authority to influence a contested primary.

@RunWithRunestad #removekrish

Whether it is the Oakland County Republican Party or MIGOP Vice Chairs, there are rules governing the role of party leadership. County party rules are often more stringent, while the state party rules provide more flexibility. Below are the MIGOP rules for Vice Chairs. If those rules are violated, I will certainly make it an issue both publicly and privately. The MIGOP bylaws contain an express provision allowing individual Vice Chairs and other party officers to endorse candidates, but with an important limitation: the officer cannot use their official party capacity to make that endorsement. The relevant language states: “Any member of any committee or officer of any committee (or staff) may individually endorse a Republican candidate seeking in a contested primary, caucus, or convention election. The endorsement may not reference any official capacity of the member of the party as a delegate, committee member, or officer. A personal campaign contribution is permitted.” What this means for MIGOP Vice Chairs: A MIGOP Vice Chair is not prohibited from: * endorsing a candidate in a Republican primary; * volunteering personally; * making a personal contribution; * expressing a personal political opinion. The line is crossed when an officer uses their official party position, title, or authority to influence a contested primary.

Nice of you to chime in, Jim. Why don’t you go raise some money for MIGOP for a change instead of constantly complaining about the work we actually do here in Oakland County to pick up your slack? Oh, by the way - did you have the same problem with Krish getting paid by John James’ team & supporting him? Clean up your own house before you try coming into mine.