The "fightin' 1st" is a region that has had many 12 round brawls over the years, so having some issues is nothing new.
However, some of the people now trying to take power as part of Daire Rendon's slate are quite the cast of characters---circus would be a NICE way to describe the situation.
Here are 9 things all 1st District Delegates need to know before voting at the Michigan Republican Party State Convention in Detroit:
1. Daire Rendon And The Fake Houghton Lake Convention
There is a lot to like about Daire Rendon--she is tough, and principled. I like that about her.
However, like many other members of the slate she's leading, she has allowed her support of Kristina Karamo to totally blind her. One might call it "Karamo Derangement Syndrome."
And let me be clear: I have no personal problem with Kristina Karamo---had she only told her supporters to attend the January 6, 2024 meeting instead of telling them not to go, she would still be Chair today.
Anyway, the "fake" Houghton Lake convention is a perfect example of Rendon's "Karamo Derangement Syndrome."
Delegates got screwed, wasting their time and money---with NOTHING to show for it all!
It's one thing not to like Pete Hoekstra---shooting your own foot off, and tricking delegates into attending a half baked "convention" they knew wouldn't ever be recognized because of it is just absolutely STUPID.
2. Karl Bohnak Issue
Karl Bohnak's victory was because of many people, namely Karl himself, House Speaker Matt Hall--- along with Bill G. Schuette and the HRCC---Congressman Jack Bergman, and of course, the amazing grassroots activists all across the UP, and throughout the entire 1st District.
1st District leadership should be proud they were a piece of the puzzle in a historic victory---but this narrative that they recruited him (false) and then won the race for him (false) is total BS.
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| State Rep. Karl Bohnak |
3. Dan Bonamie Helped Lead The Campaign For Sheriff's Candidate Charged With Sex Crimes Against Children
Dan Bonamie was a strong supporter of disgraced Crawford County Sheriff's candidate Aaron Blaine.
Blaine withdrew from the race after he was arrested and charged with 7 counts of sex crimes against multiple minors, one of whom was under 13.
Here, Bonamie gathers signatures for his friend to get on the ballot:
4. Asuka Barden BETRAYED President Trump
Asuka Barden betrayed President Trump: she actively worked against him, and did not support him in 2024.
Why? because she has such a deranged allegiance to Kristina Karamo.
It's really weird, and very concerning...
She's turned her back on President Trump before---how long until she does it again?
We don't have time to deal with what mood Asuka might be in today for whatever reason, we have elections to win!
5. Standerfer Incompetence
Every campaign finance report Jennifer Standerfer filed for the Michigan Republican Party was filled with multiple basic errors, frankly she had no idea what she was doing. I don't mean just a couple---there are dozens of pages of basic errors in response letters from the FEC.
Here is just a small sample:
6. Todd Smalenberg
Todd Smalenberg's status as a Veteran who served honoraby isn't up for debate---but he was busted trying to pretend he lives in a little camper in Hilman and not his big, beautiful home in Mio he shares with his wife where he actually resides.
Smalenberg was lucky the issue hadn't been discovered sooner, or he would have been thrown off the ballot.
However, State Rep. Cam Cavitt decided not to press charges against Smalenberg, and instead let the voters decide---Cavitt went on to beat him very badly in the primary.
Read More:
7. Neil Friske
Neil Friske's issues are well known.
He is currently the target in a major investigation for allegedly chasing a stripper while he was carrying a gun last summer after he brought her over to his house. What happened? Who knows.
Friske has an extremely controversial history with women though that directly contradicts the public image he has long sought to portray.
Read More:
8. Randy Bishop
Randy Bishop sure is entertaining---he is also an insanely hypocritical loud mouth, and a serial fraudster who is struggling to get out of bankruptcy.
Bishop was convicted on two felony fraud counts in connection with taking $50,000 from a Macomb County couple for a building project:
In another case, Bishop defrauded $200,000 from other victims:
9. The slate led by Creston Scheel will focus on the issues that really matter---like winning Governor, US Senate, the State Legislature, and EVERYTHING else in 2026---all while supporting President Trump, and making the 1st District a statewide leader that is strong and respected again.
The Rendon slate may still be talking about Kristina Karamo in 2026...
Choose wisely, Delegates!
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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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