(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) State Representative Matt Maddock, R-Mich., has been banned from the Michigan House Republican Caucus by current Michigan House Speaker Jason Wentworth, Big League Politics reported.
Maddock, who was endorsed by Former President Donald Trump to be Michigan’s House Speaker in 2022, was removed after two other Trump-endorsed candiates—Matt DePerno and Kristina Karamo—defeated their establishment Republican counterparts.
Karamo and DePerno are both political outsiders, having served in the private sector for several years, and their wins came as a surprise to Republican elites throughout the state.
State committee member Tony Daunt even quit the committee of the Michigan Republican Party in response to these events.
It is speculated that Wentworth went after Maddock due to the actions of his wife, Meshawn.
Meshawn Maddock, who is the Michigan Republican Party co-chair, endorsed Karamo and DePerno for Secretary of State and Attorney General, respectively.
Wentworth had donated hefty funds to Tom Leonard, DePerno’s top competitor in the AG race, and subsequently lost. This may explain his actions againt Mr. Maddock, who is reportedly acting as an advisor to Trump on Michigan’s state affairs.
The Maddocks are also a sort of figurehead for successful, Trump-endorsed candidates. The Huffington Post argued that they are directly responsible for many Trump endorsements within the state.
Primary battles are happening all over the state, and Wentworth seems to think banning Maddock from the caucus will stymie the flow of Trumpian challengers to swamp Republicans.
Wentworth has hit his term limits and is not up for re-election in the fall.
The Michigan GOP Caucus meets three days a week before going onto the floor to discuss legislation. All elected GOP Representatives are members of the caucus. Banning Maddock from the caucus effectively prevents the exiled member from better understanding the bills which are being presented on the floor that day, according to 100 Percent F’ed Up.
Maddock will still be expected to vote for legislation.
His expulsion from the House Caucus also means he can no longer communicate with other representatives about upcoming bills or other private caucus issues.
