Attorney Matthew DePerno has withdrawn from his bid for a Michigan Supreme Court seat just before the Michigan Republican Party state convention.
According to Detroit Free Press, DePerno stepped aside on the eve of the convention, leaving Andrew Fink and Patrick O'Grady as the party's nominees.
The Michigan Republican Party state convention took place in Flint, drawing approximately 4,000 delegates, alternates, and guests. The convention was meant to finalize the party's nominees for various positions, including seats on three Michigan university boards, the State Board of Education, and two Michigan Supreme Court seats.
DePerno, known for his involvement in an unsuccessful lawsuit regarding alleged vote manipulation in Michigan's Antrim County during the 2020 election, announced his withdrawal via email to delegates late Friday. His decision came as he faced legal challenges, including awaiting trial on felony charges related to allegedly breaching election machines.
In his email, DePerno stated, "I’ve come to the conclusion that I can best help President Trump win Michigan by making sure that we have the strongest absentee and early vote program anywhere in the country — stronger than the Democrats." He emphasized his commitment to supporting former President Donald Trump and endorsed Branch County Circuit Judge Patrick O'Grady for the partial term on the Michigan Supreme Court.
DePerno’s campaign for the Supreme Court struggled to gain financial traction, with campaign finance records showing that he raised just over $100, the lowest amount among the candidates. Despite this, he remained a vocal supporter of Trump and the broader GOP agenda.
With DePerno out of the race, State Representative Andrew Fink, R-Hillsdale, was elected to run for an eight-year term on the Michigan Supreme Court. Fink’s nomination, along with O'Grady’s for the four-year partial term, set the stage for the party's ticket in the upcoming election.
Fink and O'Grady emerged as the GOP’s choices following the convention's deliberations. The other contenders were Detroit attorney Alexandria Taylor, who vied for the four-year term, and Mark Boonstra, who was also endorsed by Trump, competing for the eight-year term. Fink's and O'Grady's nominations reflected the party's direction heading into the November elections.
Kristina Karamo, the former Michigan Republican Party chair, also made headlines at the convention. Karamo, who attended to support a candidate, was escorted out by police after attempting to access the convention floor. Current party chair Pete Hoekstra clarified that Karamo was not a registered delegate and was offered a guest pass to observe from the gallery, which she declined.
Karamo’s removal from the convention floor added to the event’s intensity. She referred to those who escorted her out as "thugs," raising tensions among attendees. However, the focus quickly shifted back to the business at hand as the party finalized its slate of nominees.
The Michigan Republican Party’s state convention in Flint was more than just a nomination event; it reflected the ongoing divisions and challenges within the party. DePerno’s withdrawal and the subsequent election of Fink and O'Grady underscored the shifting dynamics within Michigan’s GOP.
DePerno's endorsements of O'Grady and Boonstra align with his commitment to advancing Trump's influence within the state. His withdrawal may have reshaped the Michigan Supreme Court race, but it also highlights the ongoing influence of Trump within the party.
Matt DePerno has withdrawn his candidacy for the Michigan Supreme Court after losing support from some Republicans due to his ongoing legal troubles. DePerno was facing charges related to an alleged plot to tamper with voting machines following the 2020 election. His exit leaves the Republican Party without a candidate for the upcoming Supreme Court election.
