Kristina Karamo

Last updated

Adom Karamo
​
(div. 2014)​
Kristina Karamo
Chair of the Michigan Republican Party
In office
February 18, 2023 –January 6, 2024
Education Macomb County Community College
Oakland University (BA)
Talbot School of Theology (MA)

Kristina Karamo (born 1985 or 1986) is an American politician and former poll watcher who served as the chairperson of the Michigan Republican Party from 2023 to 2024. Karamo was the Republican Party's nominee in the 2022 Michigan Secretary of State election, losing to incumbent Democrat Jocelyn Benson in a landslide. She is commonly seen as being far-right. [1]

Contents

Karamo is a staunch proponent of many debunked conspiracy theories, including the false claim that Donald Trump won Michigan (and the national presidential election) in 2020. [2] [3] [4]

Education and teaching career

Karamo received an associate's degree from Macomb County Community College. [5] She graduated from Oakland University with a bachelor's in communications and media studies. She graduated from Talbot School of Theology with a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics. [6] [7]

As of 2017, she has served as an instructor of Career and Professional Development at Wayne County Community College. [8] [6] [7] [9]

Political activities

Karamo was a member of the MIGOP State Committee. [6] She ran for the 10th district of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in 2018, which covers the city of Pontiac, but lost in the Republican primary. [10] [11]

2020 presidential election

Karamo was a poll watcher in the 2020 presidential election. [6] After Donald Trump lost the election to Joe Biden, she began repeating Trump's false claims that there had been massive voter fraud. [3] She alleged illegal votes were included in the count. [9] She stated in an affidavit that she had "personally witnessed" irregularities in vote counting during her time as a poll watcher. [9] After the January 6th United States Capitol attack, she called it a false-flag operation, saying that "this is completely Antifa posing as Trump supporters...anybody can buy a MAGA hat and put on a t-shirt and buy a Trump flag”. [9]

2022 Michigan Secretary of State candidacy

Karamo was the party's nominee in the 2022 Michigan Secretary of State election. [9] She framed her platform as based on family values and religion, including a religious objection to abortion. [9]

Two weeks before election day, she filed a lawsuit in which she alleged ballot "mules" had cast illegal ballots and that there were concerns with voting machines, attempting to throw out absentee ballots from Detroit. [3] [12]

Karamo lost to incumbent Democrat Jocelyn Benson by 14 percentage points, the largest margin of defeat for any statewide Republican candidate that year, but she refused to concede the election. Hers was also the worst performance for a Republican Secretary of State nominee since 1990. [3]

Michigan Republican Party Chair

In 2023 Karamo was elected to lead the Michigan Republican Party. [3] Karamo was the first Black woman to chair the state party. [13]

In March 2023, Karamo faced widespread criticism and condemnation for defending a social media post by the Michigan Republican Party which compared recent gun control bills passed by the legislature to the Holocaust. [14] [15] Karamo defended the comparison and refused to apologize or take down the post. In a contentious press conference, Karamo argued that people get “way too offended” and said it should not be controversial to "point to history". [16] Several prominent Michigan GOP officeholders and officials, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and numerous others have condemned the comparison and Karamo’s defense of the post. [17] [18] On January 6, 2024, the party voted to oust her as chairperson of the Michigan Republican Party after criticism for the lack of fundraising and other financial problems. Karamo has refused to recognize her ouster, claiming the meeting where she was voted out was "illegal". [19] [20] The Republican National Committee contradicted Karamo's claims and stated their initial review of the removal indicated that she was "properly removed". [21] Karamo was officially replaced on February 14, 2024 by Pete Hoekstra. [22] Kent County judge Joseph Rossi ruled on February 27 that her removal was "valid." [23]

Personal life

Karamo is a resident of Oak Park and is a divorced mother of two children. [24] She was married to Adom Karamo; the marriage ended in 2014 with a divorce. [25] In an October 2021 court record first published by Jezebel , her ex-husband Adom Karamo claimed that she had threatened to kill herself and their daughters in a car crash. [26] Karamo denied these allegations, saying they were an attempt by her ex-husband to "exploit the fact that [she is] a public figure, using it as leverage to change the custody agreement he became dissatisfied with". [9] [27]

Karamo believes that demonic possession is real and may be transferred through sexual relations. She has also said that abortion is child sacrifice and a Satanic practice, [28] [29] that pop stars such as Beyonce, Jay-Z, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, and Billie Eilish are tools of Satan recruiting their followers into paganism, and that yoga is a ritual to summon demons. Karamo is also a fan of Korean dramas, yet criticized one plot line centered on communicating with deceased ancestors, saying, "Satan, again, he's so crafty... It is so important to know that you're not communicating with no ancestors. Sweetheart, you're communicating with demons." [30] [31]

Electoral history

2018 Oakland County 10th Commission District Republican primary election [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican David B. Foster 473 60.18%
Republican Kristina Karamo30739.06%
Write-in 60.76%
Total votes786 100%
2022 Michigan Secretary of State election [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Jocelyn Benson (incumbent) 2,467,859 55.86% +2.96%
Republican Kristina Karamo1,852,51041.93%−2.05%
Libertarian Gregory Scott Stempfle52,9821.20%−0.76%
Constitution Christine Schwartz27,9370.63%−0.54%
Green Larry James Hutchinson Jr.16,6150.38%N/A
Total votes4,417,903 100.00%

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan Republican Party</span> Michigan affiliate of the Republican Party

The Michigan Republican Party is the state affiliate of the national Republican Party in Michigan, United States, sometimes referred to as MIGOP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gretchen Whitmer</span> Governor of Michigan since 2019

Gretchen Esther Whitmer is an American lawyer and politician serving since 2019 as the 49th governor of Michigan. A member of the Democratic Party, she served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006 and in the Michigan Senate from 2006 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jocelyn Benson</span> Secretary of State of Michigan and academic

Jocelyn Benson is an American academic administrator, attorney, and politician serving as the 43rd Secretary of State of Michigan since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she is a former dean of Wayne State University Law School, a co-founder of the Military Spouses of Michigan, and a board member of the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality. Benson is the author of State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronna McDaniel</span> American political strategist (born 1973)

Ronna Romney McDaniel is an American political strategist who served as chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) from 2017 until her resignation in 2024. A member of the Republican Party and the Romney family, McDaniel was chair of the Michigan Republican Party from 2015 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mallory McMorrow</span> American politician (born 1986)

Mallory Ann McMorrow is an American politician who has served in the Michigan Senate since January 2019. She became senate majority whip on January 1, 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she represents the 8th district; before that, from 2019 to 2023, she represented the 13th district, which included Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, and Troy, Michigan. Prior to running for the Michigan Senate, McMorrow worked in industrial design.

Matthew Maddock is an American politician in the Republican Party serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives. His district, the 51st, represents areas covering part of Oakland County. In his first term, Maddock was appointed to be the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, as well as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. A Republican, Maddock was first elected in 2018. Prior to being elected to the 110-member Michigan House of Representatives, he was a businessman in Oakland County.

Beau M. LaFave is an American politician from Michigan. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives for District 108 from 2017 to 2022 and was a candidate for the Michigan Secretary of State election in 2022. He lost the Republican nomination to Kristina Karamo, who in turn lost the election to incumbent Democrat Jocelyn Benson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States Senate election in Michigan</span>

The 2024 United States Senate election in Michigan will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect a Class I member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Michigan. It will be held concurrently with the 2024 United States presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate, other elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Democratic congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and Republican former congressman Mike Rogers are seeking their first term in office. The winner will succeed Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow, who is not seeking a fifth term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Michigan gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Michigan. Incumbent Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer ran for re-election to a second term and faced former political commentator Tudor Dixon in the general election. Whitmer defeated Dixon by a margin of roughly 10.5 percentage points, a wider margin than polls indicated as well as a wider margin than Whitmer's first victory four years prior. Whitmer won independent voters by double-digit margins, which contributed to Dixon's defeat.

Meshawn Maddock is an American politician in the Republican Party who served as co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party from 2021 to 2023 along with Chair Ronald Weiser. Previously, she was Chair of the 11th Congressional District for the Michigan Republican Party. She is married to Republican Michigan State Representative Matt Maddock. Maddock was charged with fraud in regards to her role as a fake elector for Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Michigan Attorney General election</span>

The 2022 Michigan Attorney General election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the Attorney General of the state of Michigan. Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel ran for re-election to a second term. She was first elected in 2018 with 49.0% of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States secretary of state elections</span>

The 2022 United States secretary of state elections were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the secretaries of state in twenty-seven states. These elections took place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Michigan Secretary of State election</span>

The 2022 Michigan Secretary of State election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the Secretary of State of Michigan. Incumbent Democrat Jocelyn Benson decisively won reelection to a second term, defeating Republican Kristina Karamo by a 14 percentage point margin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tudor Dixon</span> American politician and commentator (born 1977)

Tudor Dixon is an American anti-abortion politician, businesswoman and conservative political commentator. A member of the Republican Party, Dixon was the party's nominee for Governor of Michigan in the 2022 election. She became the Michigan Republicans' first female nominee for governor. Dixon lost the election to incumbent Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer by 10.6 points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Michigan elections</span>

The 2022 Michigan elections were held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, throughout Michigan. The Democratic Party made historic gains, taking full control of state government for the first time since 1983 and marking a point where Democrats held all four elected statewide offices, both U.S. Senate seats, and both chambers of the Michigan Legislature. Democrats won control of the Michigan House of Representatives for the first time since 2008, and the Michigan Senate for the first time since 1984. Additionally, incumbent Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer won reelection by a comfortable margin, with Democrats sweeping every statewide office. Furthermore, the Democrats maintained control of seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, while the Republican Party took a net loss of one seat. The elections in Michigan were widely characterized as a "blue wave".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">America First Secretary of State Coalition</span> 2022 American right-wing political coalition

The America First Secretary of State Coalition was an American right-wing coalition formed to support a slate of candidates in the 2022 United States secretary of state elections who supported former president Donald Trump's baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The coalition's president was Jim Marchant, the unsuccessful Republican nominee for Secretary of State of Nevada, and was headquartered in Las Vegas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Michigan Republican presidential nominating contests</span>

The 2024 Michigan Republican presidential primary and caucuses were held on February 27 and on March 2, 2024, respectively, as part of the Republican Party primaries for the 2024 presidential election. 55 delegates to the 2024 Republican National Convention were allocated on a proportional and winner-take-most basis. The primary took place concurrently with its Democratic counterpart, and saw Trump defeat Haley in a 42-point landslide.

Ottawa Impact is a far-right advocacy organization, often described as Christian nationalist, aimed at influencing conservative politics in and around Ottawa County, Michigan. The group was founded by its executive director, Joe Moss, who currently serves as chairman on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angela Rigas</span> American politician from Michigan

Angela Rigas is an American politician from Michigan. A member of the Republican Party, she was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in the 2022 election from the 79th district, and took office in 2023. After the 2020 presidential election, Rigas denied the election result and took part in the rally that preceded the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

References

  1. ↑ Multiple sources:
    • Arnsdorf, Isaac (February 18, 2023). "Far-right election denier beats Trump's pick for Michigan GOP". The Washington Post . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
    • Layne, Nathan (February 18, 2023). "Michigan Republicans tap election denier to lead state party". Reuters . Retrieved February 18, 2023. ..elevating an election denier to a critical leadership role in a sign of the growing clout of far-right and grassroots members..
    • "Finley: R.I.P., Michigan GOP". The Detroit News . Retrieved February 19, 2023. ..under Karamo, who dwells on the very far right.
    • Gabbatt, Adam (March 23, 2023). "Michigan GOP chair refuses to apologize for comparing gun control to Holocaust". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  2. ↑ Arnsdorf, Isaac. "Far-right election denier beats Trump's pick for Michigan GOP". The Washington Post . ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Vigdor, Neil (February 18, 2023). "Michigan G.O.P. Installs Kristina Karamo, an Election Denier, as Leader". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  4. ↑ Mangan, Dan; Breuninger, Kevin (September 2, 2022). "Trump pick for Michigan secretary of state race Kristina Karamo threatened to kill her family, court records claim". CNBC . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Kristina Karamo". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Collins, Tim (May 13, 2021). "Detroit Mom to Run Against Michigan Secretary of State Benson". 95.3 WBCKFM. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Detroit-area college professor enters 2022 MI Secretary of State race". WZZM13.com. May 13, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Kristina Karamo at Wayne County Community College District".
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 King, Jon (October 8, 2022). "Karamo makes abortion and religion the centerpieces of her secretary of state campaign". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Pontiac educator running for Oakland County Board of Commissioners seat". The Oakland Press . May 23, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Election Results". Oakland County Elections Division. August 22, 2018. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  12. ↑ Weisman, Jonathan; McFadden, Alyce (November 7, 2022). "Candidates Make Final Appeals in Midterms Campaigns". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Kristina Karamo elected chair of Michigan Republican Party". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  14. ↑ "MIGOP facing backlash over tweet comparing gun legislation to Holocaust". WLNS 6 News. March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  15. ↑ Sylvester, Anthony; Louise, Rachel (March 22, 2023). "MIGOP receives national condemnation after tweet comparing gun bills to Holocaust". WWMT. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Michigan GOP attempts to tie gun reforms to Holocaust, faces backlash". The Detroit News . Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  17. ↑ Schnell, Mychael (March 22, 2023). "Republican Jewish Coalition leader blasts 'offensive' state party tweet, image". The Hill . Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  18. ↑ Gabbatt, Adam (March 23, 2023). "Michigan GOP chair refuses to apologize for comparing gun control to Holocaust". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Far-right election denier beats Trump's pick for Michigan GOP". The Washington Post . ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  20. ↑ Cappelletti, Joey (January 6, 2024). "Michigan Republicans vote to remove chair Kristina Karamo as she promises not to accept result". Associated Press News . Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  21. ↑ "R.N.C. Says It Looks Like Michigan G.O.P. Leader Was 'Properly Removed'". The New York Times . January 25, 2024.
  22. ↑ Ukenye, Lawrence (February 14, 2024). "Michigan GOP chair officially ousted after weeks of chaos". Politico . Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Judge affirms ouster of Michigan Republican Party leader Karamo". Associated Press . February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  24. ↑ Godfrey, Elaine (May 22, 2022). "The Election Denier Who Could Run Michigan's Elections". The Atlantic . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  25. ↑ Schuster, Simon (September 2, 2022). "Michigan Republican SOS candidate Kristina Karamo tried to crash car with family in it, according to court filing". MLive . Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  26. ↑ "'Fuck It, I'll Kill Us All': Kristina Karamo's Ex-Husband Accused Her of Trying to Crash Car with Entire Family Inside". Jezebel . September 2, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Trump pick for Michigan secretary of state race Kristina Karamo threatened to kill her family, court records claim". CNBC . September 2, 2022.
  28. ↑ Burris, Sarah (July 5, 2022). "Trump-backed Michigan Republican warns of "demonic possession" through sex". Salon . Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Hear Michigan's Trump-backed secretary of state nominee compare abortion to 'child sacrifice'". CNN Politics . July 6, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  30. ↑ Hananoki, Eric (April 25, 2022). "Michigan secretary of state candidate Kristina Karamo: Beyoncé, Cardi B, Korean drama, and yoga are tools of Satan". Media Matters for America . Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  31. ↑ Joseph, Cameron (April 26, 2022). "Beyoncé, Yoga, Billie Eilish: Trump-Backed Candidate Thinks Everything Is Satanic". Vice . Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  32. ↑ "2022 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Election Results.
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the Michigan Republican Party
2023–2024		Succeeded by
Malinda Pego
Acting
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.